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Chagas' Disease
Medical Questions » Chagas' Disease
| Name: Chagas' Disease |
| Also known as: American Trypanosomiasis |
| Infestation by a parasite that is widespread in tropical America from Texas to Bolivia. Goes through three stages acute, latent and chronic. |
Causes of Chagas' Disease
The protozoan (single celled) parasite Trypanosoma cruzi which is transmitted from wild animals to humans by bug bites to the skin or bug faces in the eye. |
Symptoms of Chagas' Disease
Sore develops on skin at site of bite or in the eye, and in many patients, no other symptoms ever occur until after a latent stage lasting 10 to 30 years when a chronic stage with heart disease occurs causing irregular heart rhythm, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary thromboses (see separate entries). A minority of patients go through an acute illness which causes enlarged lymph nodes near the bite, fever, tiredness, headache, and enlarged liver and spleen. |
Tests for Chagas' Disease
Diagnosed by specific blood tests, but may be undetectable in the latent stage. |
Treatment for Chagas' Disease
Generally unsatisfactory. Medications may be tried in the acute stage, but are of no use in the chronic stage.
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Complications of Chagas' Disease of its treatment
Acute heart or brain infection may be rapidly fatal. Long term infection may cause severe heart disease. |
Likely Outcome of Chagas' Disease
Fatal in 10% of acute illnesses. Death from heart disease occurs in chronic stage. |
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