African sleeping sickness, also known as trypanosomiasis, is a disease caused by the Trypanosoma brucei parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. There are two forms of the disease: West African sleeping sickness and East African sleeping sickness, each caused by different subspecies of the parasite. Symptoms can include fever, headaches, joint pain, and itching. If left untreated, the disease can progress to affect the central nervous system, leading to severe neurological symptoms, including confusion, sleep disturbances, and eventually coma. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery, with medications available to combat the infection.