D2I2.
infection

Chagas disease

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical disease caused by 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 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 , 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 nodes, headache

Causes — why it happens

  • · cruzi spread by kissing bugs

How it's found

  • ·Finding the , its DNA, or in the blood

Prevention

  • ·Eliminating kissing bugs and avoiding their bites

Complications

  • ·Heart failure, enlarged , enlarged
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.