Chagas disease
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It is spread mostly by insects in the subfamily Triatominae, known as "kissing bugs". The symptoms change throughout the . In the early stage, symptoms are typically either not present or mild and may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, or swelling at the site of the bite. After four to eight weeks, untreated individuals enter the phase of disease, which in most cases does not result in further symptoms. Up to 45% of people with chronic develop heart disease 10–30 years after the initial illness, which can lead to heart failure. Digestive , including an enlarged or an enlarged colon, may also occur in up to 21% of people, and up to 10% of people may experience nerve damage.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Fever, large lymph nodes, headache
Causes — why it happens
- ·Trypanosoma cruzi spread by kissing bugs
How it's found
- ·Finding the parasite, its DNA, or in the blood
Prevention
- ·Eliminating kissing bugs and avoiding their bites
Complications
- ·Heart failure, enlarged , enlarged colon