Incubation Period
The incubation period varies from a few days to several weeks or months.
A local infection may occur with a large 2 to 10cm red area or sore at the location of the fly’s original bite. At the same time as this, swollen and/or tender lymph nodes and general illness with fever, muscle pain, joint pain and sometimes a general rash may develop. These symptom can occur a few days after infection. The symptoms of the infection in the brain begin from a few months to two years later.
A local infection may occur with a large 2 to 10cm red area or sore at the location of the fly’s original bite. At the same time as this, swollen and/or tender lymph nodes and general illness with fever, muscle pain, joint pain and sometimes a general rash may develop. These symptom can occur a few days after infection. The symptoms of the infection in the brain begin from a few months to two years later.
Treatments
Unless treated, African Trypanosomiasis is a fatal illness. The drug used is called suramin, which is administered intravenously and mostly results in he full recovery. The most effective treatment for the disease must be used before the organism migrates into the Central Nervous system as the drug doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier. Some side affects of having suramin include nausea, vomiting, itching, hives, decreased sensitivity, increased sensitivity to light and peripheral neuropathy. Nearly all of these symptoms are not dangerous and disappear after a few days of treatment.
Another drug used is also Pentamindine isethionate which is a therapeutic agent and has lots of side affects.
If the disease has already spread into the central nervous system, a drug called Melarsoprol is used.
This drug is dangerous and toxic and can lead to death. Approximately 5% of patients die from this treatment while another 5% relapse. If the patient has been previously treated with suramin the success rate may be increased.
Another drug used is also Pentamindine isethionate which is a therapeutic agent and has lots of side affects.
If the disease has already spread into the central nervous system, a drug called Melarsoprol is used.
This drug is dangerous and toxic and can lead to death. Approximately 5% of patients die from this treatment while another 5% relapse. If the patient has been previously treated with suramin the success rate may be increased.
Prognosis
In early or stage 1 of the disease, most patients recover fully with treatment. In late or stage 2 of the disease, the Central Nervous system disease will be fatal if untreated but the cure rate approaches 95% with drugs that cross the blood/brain barrier such as melarsoprol. Treatment usually resolves symptoms and clears parasites. Without treatment advanced disease is fatal. There is no vaccine for this disease and if you get it once and survive, you do not become immune to it.