Sleeping Sickness

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis): The following stages of the disease can be distinguished: Primary lesion Hemolymphatic stage (stage 1) Meningoencephalitic stage (stage 2) Initial (after one to two weeks) Primary lesion (trypanosome chancre) at the site where the pathogen entered (sting, wound, etc.) – heals spontaneously after a … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) Trypanosomes multiply around the intestines of insects. They are then transmitted via the (painful) stings, but also via contact with mucous membranes and wounds. Transmission via blood transfusion, via transplants, or connatal (congenital) transmission is also possible. Etiology (causes) Behavioral causes Affects mainly the rural population, aid workers.

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye) [primary lesion (trypanosome chancre) at the site of pathogen invasion (sting, wound, etc.) – heals spontaneously … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Examination

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Test and Diagnosis

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Pathogen detection in blood, punctate, bone marrow, lymph node biopsy. Serology Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Small blood count Differential blood count Inflammatory parameter – CRP (C-reactive protein) Liver … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Test and Diagnosis

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle). Echocardiography (echo; heart ultrasound) – if … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Diagnostic Tests

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Prevention

To prevent sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis), attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Affected mainly the rural population, aid workers. General exposure prophylaxis Avoid endemic areas with particularly high pathogen prevalence (pathogen frequency) Avoid bites from mosquitoes by wearing clothing that covers the entire body and use of repellents, impregnated mosquito … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Prevention

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis). Family history What is the general health status of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Have you been abroad recently? If yes, where exactly? How were the hygienic standards on site? Do you remember being bitten … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Medical History

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnoses of African trypanosomiasis. Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Brucellosis – infectious disease caused by various types of the genus Brucella. Infectious mononucleosis (synonyms: Pfeiffer’s glandular fever; EBV; EBV infection; Epstein-Barr virus infection) – infection with a virus of the herpes virus family. Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) – infectious disease caused by leptospires, belonging to … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis): Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Pancreatitis – inflammation of all layers of the heart (inner layer, muscle layer, pericardium); in the East African form. Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99). Meningoencephalitis (combined inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and … Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis): Complications