What does ASS mean in MEDICAL

African sleeping sickness is caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei which is found in certain species of tsetse flies native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite enters the bloodstream through the bite of the infected tsetse fly and causes an infection.

African sleeping sickness spreads from person to person through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. It can also be transmitted from animal to animal or animal to human through contact with their blood or body fluids.

Symptoms of African Sleeping Sickness vary depending on the stage of infection but may include fever, headaches, joint pain, itching skin, swollen lymph nodes, confusion, fatigue and sleep disturbances.

Treatment options for Africansleeping sickness include drugs such as pentamidine and suramin to kill off the parasites in early stages of infection and drugs like eflornithine and melarsoprol for late stages of infection. Additionally, preventive measures such as avoiding areas inhabited by tsetse flies can help in reducing your risk for getting infected with this disease.

Yes, prevention measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothing when outdoors can help reduce one's risk for getting bitten by an infected tsetse fly as well as avoiding areas where these types of flies reside can go a long way in preventing Africansleeping sickness from occurring. Insecticides can also help kill off any existing flies in your area that may be carrying this parasite.