West African Trypanosomiasis

Introduction: West African Trypanosomiasis

West African Trypanosomiasis: There are two types of African trypanosomiasis, also called sleeping sickness, named for the areas in Africa in which they are found. West African ... more about West African Trypanosomiasis.

West African Trypanosomiasis: West African sleeping sickness from the tsetse fly. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of West African Trypanosomiasis is available below.

Symptoms of West African Trypanosomiasis

• Red sore - at the fly bite site
• Chancre
• Insomnia at night
• Daytime sleepiness
• Fever

See full list of 39 symptoms of West African Trypanosomiasis

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to West African Trypanosomiasis:

• Sleep Disorders: Home Testing
  • Home Sleep Tests
  • Sleep Apnea Tests

Medical Textbooks Online about West African Trypanosomiasis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Causes of West African Trypanosomiasis

Read more about causes of West African Trypanosomiasis.

Treatments for West African Trypanosomiasis

• Pentamidine - if no CNS symptoms present
• Suramin
• Eflornithine
• Melarsoprol - if CNS symptoms present

Read more about treatments for West African Trypanosomiasis

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Prognosis for West African Trypanosomiasis

Prognosis for West African Trypanosomiasis: Good with treatment. Death within weeks or months if untreated

More about prognosis of West African Trypanosomiasis

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Article Excerpts about West African Trypanosomiasis

There are two types of African trypanosomiasis, also called sleeping sickness, named for the areas in Africa in which they are found. West African trypanosomiasis, also called Gambian sleeping sickness, is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (tri-PAN-o-SO-ma brew-see-eye gam-be-ense). Worldwide, 20,000 new cases of both East and West African trypanosomiasis are reported each year. Few cases of West African trypanosomiasis have been reported in the United States. (Source: excerpt from West African Trypanosomiasis: DPD)

Definitions of West African Trypanosomiasis:

A hemoflagellate subspecies of parasitic protozoa that causes Gambian or West African sleeping sickness in humans. The vector host is usually the tsetse fly (Glossina). - (Source - Diseases Database)

West African Trypanosomiasis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that West African Trypanosomiasis, or a subtype of West African Trypanosomiasis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)