- Sleeping sickness is a serious tropical disease that harms people.
- The disease makes people feel very weak and very tired.
- Long ago many people were sick and often untreated.
- Now there are far fewer confirmed cases in many areas.
- A new oral medicine has been approved by regulators.
- The medicine is given as tablets and taken once.
- It helps both the early and the late disease stages.
- Health workers can test and treat during one visit.
Difficult words
- tropical — from hot regions near the equator
- serious — very bad and needing help or care
- untreated — not given medical care or treatment
- confirmed — checked and shown to be true
- approved — officially allowed by people in charge
- oral — taken by mouth as medicine or food
- stage — one step or time in a process or illnessstages
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever visited a health worker?
- Would you prefer a medicine as one tablet or many tablets?
- Is it good to test and treat in one visit?
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