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The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, an inflammatory, infectious disease. This parasite is discovered in the triatomine (reduviid) bug's excrement. This issue is often referred to as the "kissing bug." Chagas disease is common in South America, Central America, and Mexico, the triatomine bug's major habitat. In the southern United States, rare cases of Chagas disease have been discovered.
Chagas disease, often known as American trypanosomiasis, can infect anyone. Chagas disease, if left untreated, can lead to significant heart and intestinal difficulties.
During the acute phase of infection, Chagas disease treatment focuses on destroying the parasite. It is no longer possible to kill the parasite in persons with chronic Chagas disease. In this later stage, treatment focuses on symptom management. You can also take precautions to avoid infection.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHAGAS DISEASE?
Chagas disease can cause an acute, short-term illness or a long-term (chronic) disorder. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with many patients not experiencing symptoms until they reach the chronic stage.
Acute phase
The acute phase of Chagas illness, which can span weeks or months, is frequently asymptomatic. When signs and symptoms do appear, they are usually modest and may include the following:
- Swelling at the site of infection
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea
- Rash
- Body aches
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Swollen glands
- Liver or spleen enlargement
During the acute period, signs and symptoms normally go away on their own. If the infection is not treated, Chagas disease can progress to the chronic stage.
Chronic phase
Signs and symptoms of Chagas disease's chronic phase may appear 10 to 20 years after initial infection, or they may never appear. Chagas disease signs and symptoms in severe cases may include:
- Heartbeat irregularity
- Heart failure
- Unexpected cardiac arrest
- Swallowing difficulties due to an enlarged esophagus
- Constipation or stomach pain as a result of an enlarged colon
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CHAGAS DISEASE?
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is carried by the triatomine bug, sometimes known as the "kissing bug." When these insects consume blood from an infected animal, they can get infected with the parasite.
Triatomine bugs spend the most of their time in mud, thatch, or adobe homes throughout Mexico, South America, and Central America. During the day, they hide in holes in the walls or roof, and at night, they emerge to feed on sleeping humans.
After feeding, infected bugs defecate, leaving parasites on the skin. Parasites can then enter your body through your eyes, mouth, a cut or scratch, or a wound caused by a bug bite.
Scratching or scratching the bite site aids parasite entry into your body. The parasites proliferate and spread once inside your body.
You could also become infected with:
- Eating uncooked food contaminated with parasite-infected bug excrement
- Being born to someone infected with the parasite
- Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a parasite-infected person
- Being inadvertently exposed to the parasite while working in a laboratory
- Spending time in a forest with sick wild animals like raccoons and opossums
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR CHAGAS DISEASE?
The following factors may raise your chances of contracting Chagas disease:
- Living in impoverished rural communities in Central America, South America, and Mexico
- Living in a triatomine bug-infested house
- Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from an infected person
Travelers to at-risk areas in South America, Central America, and Mexico are unlikely to contract Chagas disease since they tend to stay in well-constructed facilities, such as hotels. Triatomine bugs are typically found in structures made of mud, adobe, or thatch.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF CHAGAS DISEASE?
If Chagas disease advances to the chronic (long-term) stage, significant heart and intestinal issues may arise. These could include:
- Heart failure: When your heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you have heart failure.
- Enlargement of the esophagus (megaesophagus): This uncommon disorder is caused by abnormal esophageal widening (dilation). This can make swallowing and digestion difficult.
- Colon enlargement (megacolon): When your colon gets unusually dilated, it causes stomach pain, edema, and severe constipation.
HOW IS CHAGAS DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor will perform a physical check and ask about your symptoms as well as any risk factors for Chagas disease.
If you have Chagas disease symptoms, blood tests can confirm the existence of the parasite or the proteins produced by your immune system (antibodies) to fight the parasite in your blood.
If you are diagnosed with Chagas disease, you will most likely be subjected to additional tests. These tests may be performed to evaluate if the condition has progressed to the chronic stage and has produced heart or intestinal issues. Among the possible tests are:
- Electrocardiogram: a test that monitors the electrical activity of your heart
- Chest X-ray: an imaging test that allows your doctor to determine whether you have an enlarged heart
- Echocardiogram: a test that employs sound waves to capture moving images of your heart, allowing your doctor to detect any changes in the heart's structure or function.
- Abdominal X-ray: a radiation-based examination of your stomach, intestines, and colon
- Upper endoscopy: an examination in which you swallow a thin, illuminated tube (endoscope) that transmits images of your esophagus to a screen
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT FOR CHAGAS DISEASE?
Chagas disease treatment focuses on eliminating the parasite while also controlling the indications and symptoms.
The prescription drugs benznidazole and nifurtimox (Lampit) may be beneficial during the acute phase of Chagas disease. Both medications are available in Chagas disease-affected areas. However, in the United States, the medications can only be obtained through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Medication will not treat Chagas disease after it has progressed to the chronic stage. However, the medications may be given to patients under the age of 50 because they may reduce the advancement of the disease and its most dangerous effects.
Additional treatment is determined by the signs and symptoms:
- Heart-related complications: Medication, a pacemaker or other devices to control your heart rhythm, surgery, or even a heart transplant may be used in treatment.
- Digestive-related complications: Dietary adjustments, medicines, corticosteroids, and, in severe cases, surgery may be used to treat the condition.
HOW CAN CHAGAS DISEASE BE PREVENTED?
If you reside in a high-risk location for Chagas disease, take the following precautions to avoid infection:
- Sleeping in a mud, thatch, or adobe hut should be avoided. Triatomine bugs are more likely to be found in these types of homes.
- When sleeping under thatch, mud, or adobe structures, drape insecticide-treated netting over your bed.
- To get rid of insects in your home, use insecticides.
- On exposed skin, apply insect repellent.