Vital Signs: Trypanosomiasis

Mr. Post's escalating fever after a monthlong trip into the bush was not a good sign.

By Claire Panosian Dunavan
Oct 1, 2000 5:00 AMMay 9, 2023 2:59 PM

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Christopher Post was not yet home when he noticed the crimson spot, roughly nickel-sized, on his left biceps. Returning from the trip of a lifetime, a monthlong safari in Africa, he was tired, achy, and hot. Maybe it's eczema, the 50-year-old stockbroker reasoned. He'd be better in a couple of days.

But a few days later, Mr. Post was worse, with a higher fever. The spot on his arm was bigger. His internist was out of town, so he drove to a nearby hospital.

"Did you use malaria pills in Africa?" asked the emergency-room physician.

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