sleeping sickness
"Sleeping sickness" refers to diseases where lethargy is a major symptom, with the most notable being African trypanosomiasis, transmitted by tsetse flies.
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Definition
C1Tropical Medicine
(technical, medical)A disease caused by the parasite *Trypanosoma brucei*, transmitted by tsetse flies, marked by fever, headaches, joint pain, and severe neurological symptoms.
Example
- Sleeping sickness is prevalent in certain parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
- If untreated, sleeping sickness can progress to severe neurological impairment and death.
C1Veterinary Medicine
(technical, medical)A disease in animals, also known as nagana, caused by trypanosome parasites, leading to lethargy, fever, and swelling.
Example
- Sleeping sickness in cattle can severely impact livestock productivity.
C2Historical
(historical, medical)A form of encephalitis, known as encephalitis lethargica, that caused an epidemic in the 1920s, marked by extreme lethargy and prolonged sleep.
Example
- Encephalitis lethargica, also referred to as sleeping sickness, caused widespread illness in the early 20th century.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sleeping sickness":