About this topic
African sleeping sickness is also known as Human African Trypanosomiasis or HAT. This infection may cause problems with your nervous system. You may have problems like swelling of the brain or the tissues around the brain. ‚
HAT has two stages. In the first stage, the germs move through the blood. In the second stage, the germs enter the brain. Then they affect the nervous system. HAT may become deadly if not treated right away. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all your drugs as directed by your doctor. Be sure to take them on time and completely.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Use a small notebook to keep track of your daily activities.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Prevent the spread of infection
- Ease your signs
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Heart failure
- Injuries from falling asleep while driving or doing an activity
- Coma
- Death
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Protect yourself.
- Use or spray insect repellent on your skin.
- Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.
- Avoid unnecessary activities outside your house.
- Place wire screens in your windows and doors to keep insects from going in.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
- Clear your yard of dead trees to remove insects that live in them.
- Spray insect repellent to get rid of flies around your home.
- People who have this infection should not breast feed. They should also not donate blood.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Feeling confused or dazed
- Changes in behavior
- Trouble speaking or controlling movements
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I feel confused or dazed, have changes in behavior, or have trouble speaking.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/ ‚
World Health Organization ‚
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs259/en/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚