Chagas Disease Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Chagas Disease?

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi. It is spread mostly by insects known as Triatominae or kissing bugs.
Chagas disease is common in South America, Central America and Mexico, the primary home of the triatomine bug. Rare cases of Chagas disease have been found in the southern United States, as well.

If Chagas disease progresses to a phase called chronic phase, serious heart or digestive complications may occur. These may include:

Heart failure.
Enlargement of the esophagus (megaesophagus).
 This rare condition is caused by the abnormal widening (dilation) of the esophagus.
Enlargement of the colon (megacolon).
 Marked by abnormal dilation of the colon.

Causes Of Chagas Disease:

The cause of Chagas disease is the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to humans from a bite from an insect known as the triatomine bug.
These insects can become infected by T. cruzi when they ingest blood from an animal already infected with the parasite.
They hide in crevices in the walls or roof during the day, and then come out at night, often feeding on sleeping humans.
Infected bugs defecate after feeding, leaving behind T. cruzi parasites on the skin.
The parasites can then enter the human body through your eyes, mouth, a cut or scratch, or the wound from the bug’s bite.

One may also get infected by:

Eating uncooked food contaminated with feces from T. cruzi-infected bugs
Being born to a woman infected with T. cruzi
Having a blood transfusion containing infected blood
Getting an organ transplant containing viable T. cruzi
Working in a laboratory where there’s an accidental exposure to the parasite
Spending time in a forest that contains infected wild animals, such as raccoons and opossums
Being around an infected pet

Symptoms Of Chagas Disease:

Chagas disease can exhibit two kinds of symptoms; acute (sudden, brief illness) or chronic (long lasting). The symptoms change over the course of the infection.

    Acute phase
   Swelling at the infection site
   Fever
   Fatigue
   Rash
   Body aches
   Eyelid swelling
   Headache
   Loss of appetite
   Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
   Swollen glands
   Enlargement of your liver or spleen
    Chronic phase
   Irregular heartbeat
   Congestive heart failure
   Sudden cardiac arrest
   Difficulty swallowing due to enlarged esophagus
   Abdominal pain or constipation due to enlarged colon