African trypanosomiasis, also known as African sleeping sickness or simply sleeping sickness, is an insect-borne parasitic infection of humans and other animals. It is caused by the species Trypanosoma brucei. Humans are infected by two types, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR).

Trypanosoma cruzi is a species of parasitic euglenoids. Amongst the protozoa, the trypanosomes characteristically bore tissue in another organism and feed on blood (primarily) and also lymph.

Kinetoplastids (e.g., Trypanosoma and other parasites) are heterotrophic flagellates and were once thought to be related to other zooflagellates.

African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly. It gets its nickname ‘sleeping sickness’ because symptoms can include a disturbed sleep pattern.

African Trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, is caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa.

It’s a short-term (acute) illness that may last several weeks to months. People from the U.S. who travel to Africa are rarely infected. On average, 1 U.S. citizen is infected every year.

There is no vaccine or drug for prophylaxis against African trypanosomiasis. Preventive measures are aimed at minimizing contact with tsetse flies.

How is sleeping sickness diagnosed? Diagnosing sleeping sickness involves invasive tests to confirm a positive result by the rapid diagnostic tests used for community screening. Diagnosis requires confirming the presence of the parasite in any body fluid, usually in the blood and lymph system through a microscope.

There is no test of cure for African trypanosomiasis. After treatment, patients should be closely followed for 24 months and monitored for relapse. Recurrence of symptoms will require examination of body fluids, including CSF, to detect the presence of trypanosomes.

How can I prevent African trypanosomiasis and prevent other insect bites?

1. Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and pants.
2. Wear neutral-colored clothing.
3. Inspect vehicles for tsetse flies before entering.
4. Avoid bushes.
5. Use insect repellant.

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a fatal neglected tropical disease of which approximately 70 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa are at risk. It is transmitted by tsetse flies carrying the protozoan parasite belonging to the Trypanosoma genus.

Estimates of the disease prevalence have proven to be difficult, though some studies estimate 20,000 individuals are affected by the disease, with nearly 9100 dying from both variants in 2010.

Tips and tricks

1. Avoid chemicals that disrupt sleep, such as nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.
2. Eat lighter meals at night and at least two hours before bed.
3. Stay active, but exercise earlier in the day.
4. Take a hot shower or bath at the end of your day.
5. Avoid screens one to two hours before bed.

Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma.

For instance, some parasites may consume your food and leave you hungry after meals, resulting in an inability to gain weight. Others may feed off your red blood cells causing anaemia or lay eggs resulting in itching, irritability, and even insomnia.

When this happens, we typically experience die-off symptoms, which could include headaches, diarrhea, increased fatigue, or vomiting. Although it may appear that you’re getting worse, die-off symptoms are actually positive signs of healing.

The female adult worms leave the anus in the middle of the night while the person is sleeping to deposit her eggs around the skin of the perianal region. The eggs become infectious within a couple of hours after being deposited and can survive for about 2 weeks outside the host.

The 10 most diabolical and disgusting parasites

• Tyrannosaur-starving parasite.
• Web-manipulating wasps.
• Male-killing bacteria.
• Ant-deceiving butterfly.
• Eye-infesting Worm.
• Feminizing barnacles.
• Head-bursting fungus.
• Tongue-eating crustacean. Cymothoa exigua, or tongue-eating louse, inside the mouth of its fish host. (

After a few weeks, the female pinworms move to the end of the large intestine, and they come out of the body at night to lay their eggs around the anus (where poop comes out).

Indoors, the floor should be vacuumed and cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner. Litter boxes and bedding should be scrubbed and laundered. All animals in the house should be dewormed together to ensure all infected animals are treated.

According to WebMD, intestinal parasites like hookworm, roundworm and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking and kissing, as can ringworm, a fungal skin infection.

If you have both indoor and outdoor kitties or a dog, be prepared for parasites and diseases to spread among them. Your cat can pick up a case of worms by sharing a litter box with the other infected cat. A cat can also be infected by grooming your dog or sharing the dog’s food and water bowls.