African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis

African trypanosomiasis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating African trypanosomiasis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT Scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis
African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating African trypanosomiasis
Risk calculators and risk factors for African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Pilar Almonacid

Natural History

1. A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful and can develop into a red sore, also called a chancre (SHAN-ker).
2. Symptoms begin within 1 to 4 weeks of getting an infected tsetse fly bite and begin with fever, headaches, and joint pains.
3. As the parasites enter through both the blood and lymph systems, lymph nodes often swell up to tremendous sizes.
4. Winterbottom's sign, the telltale swollen lymph glands along the back of the neck may appear.
5. If untreated, the disease slowly overcomes the defenses of the infected person, and symptoms spread to include anemia, endocrine, cardiac, and kidney diseases and disorders.
6. The disease then enters a neurological phase when the parasite passes through the blood-brain barrier.
7. The symptoms of the second phase give the disease its name; besides confusion and reduced coordination, the sleep cycle is disturbed with bouts of fatigue punctuated with manic periods progressing to daytime slumber and nighttime insomnia.
8. Without treatment, the disease is fatal, with progressive mental deterioration leading to coma and death. Damage caused in the neurological phase can be irreversible.

Prognosis

Without treatment, death may occur within 6 months from cardiac failure or from rhodesiense infection itself. Gambiense infection causes the classic "sleeping sickness" disease and gets worse more quickly, often over a few weeks. Both diseases should be treated immediately.