Member-only story

The Forgotten Epidemic That Remains One Of Medicine's Greatest Mysteries

Tennessee Williams

·5.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic That Remains One Of Medicine S Greatest Mysteries

5 min read

466 View Claps

38 Respond

Save

Listen

Sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which is transmitted by the tsetse fly. Sleeping sickness can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and death.

Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic that Remains One of Medicine's Greatest Mysteries

by Molly Caldwell Crosby

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	926 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	223 pages

There is no cure for sleeping sickness, but it can be treated with medication. However, the drugs that are used to treat sleeping sickness are often expensive and difficult to access. As a result, sleeping sickness remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa.

The history of sleeping sickness is long and complex. The disease was first described in the 15th century by Portuguese explorers who encountered it in West Africa. In the 19th century, sleeping sickness spread to East Africa, where it caused a devastating epidemic that killed millions of people. The epidemic eventually subsided, but sleeping sickness remains a major problem in many parts of Africa today.

The parasite that causes sleeping sickness is transmitted by the tsetse fly. The tsetse fly is found in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is most common in areas that are heavily forested. The tsetse fly bites humans and animals, and it transmits the parasite through its saliva. The parasite then enters the bloodstream and travels to the central nervous system, where it causes the symptoms of sleeping sickness.

The symptoms of sleeping sickness can vary depending on the stage of the disease. In the early stage, the symptoms may be mild and include fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, the symptoms can become more severe and include confusion, seizures, and coma. If left untreated, sleeping sickness can be fatal.

There is no cure for sleeping sickness, but it can be treated with medication. The drugs that are used to treat sleeping sickness are called trypanocides. Trypanocides are effective in killing the parasite, but they can also have side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and headache. The treatment for sleeping sickness can be long and difficult, but it can be life-saving.

Sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease that has a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. There is no cure for sleeping sickness, but it can be treated with medication. However, the drugs that are used to treat sleeping sickness are often expensive and difficult to access. As a result, sleeping sickness remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa.

What Can Be Done to Control Sleeping Sickness?

There are a number of things that can be done to control sleeping sickness. These include:

Reducing the population of tsetse flies
Educating people about sleeping sickness
Providing access to diagnosis and treatment
Developing new drugs and vaccines

Reducing the population of tsetse flies is one of the most effective ways to control sleeping sickness. This can be done by using insecticides, traps, and other methods. Educating people about sleeping sickness is also important. People need to know how to avoid being bitten by tsetse flies and how to recognize the symptoms of sleeping sickness. Providing access to diagnosis and treatment is also essential. People who are infected with sleeping sickness need to be able to get the treatment they need in order to survive.

Developing new drugs and vaccines is also important. The current drugs that are used to treat sleeping sickness are not always effective, and they can have side effects. New drugs and vaccines are needed to improve the treatment of sleeping sickness.

Sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease that has a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are a number of things that can be done to control sleeping sickness. By working together, we can eliminate this disease and improve the lives of millions of people.

Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic that Remains One of Medicine's Greatest Mysteries

by Molly Caldwell Crosby

4.4 out of 5