About this topic
Chagas disease is an infection that comes from a germ that lives inside a bug. The bug lives in the walls and roofs of houses made of mud and straw. An infected bug may bite you and pass the germ on to you. The bug often bites your face at night while you sleep. You need to be treated right away. If not, your illness can become more serious after some time. ‚
What are the causes?
Trypanosoma cruzi is the name of the germ that causes this illness. It lives inside the kissing bugs. When the bug bites you, it deposits germs into the skin. When you scratch, you spread the germs deeper under the skin. ‚
This infection can also be passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy, at birth, and through breastfeeding. It can also be passed on through blood transfusions and organ transplants. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Living in houses made of mud or adobe with thatched roofs
- The bugs are more common in Mexico and Central or South America.
What are the main signs?
There are two parts to this disease: ‚
- Acute stage ¢ ˆ ’ Signs last for a few weeks to a few months and most often go away on their own. Care is needed to prevent the disease from getting worse.
- Chronic stage ¢ ˆ ’ Signs appear 10 to 20 years after the acute stage of the disease.
The acute stage most often has mild signs or no signs at all. You may have signs like: ‚
- Fever
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Body or muscle ache
- Swelling at the infection site
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Loose stools
- Enlarged liver or spleen
The chronic stage may have signs 10 to 20 years after the acute stage. You may have signs like: ‚
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart failure because the heart is too large
- Food tube or bowel becomes too large
- Trouble swallowing
- Very hard stools
- Very bad belly pain
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor may feel your armpits, groin, neck, and belly for lumps or enlarged organs. The doctor may do some tests like: ‚
- Blood tests
- Chest x-ray
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment focuses on killing the germ inside the body. This is best done during the acute stage of the disease. Your doctor may want to treat your child if it is born with this infection. When the disease reaches the chronic stage, the doctor may only be able to treat the signs. ‚
You may need to have surgery to ease the signs of a chronic case of Chagas disease. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
Acute stage ¢ ˆ ’ The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Kill the germ
- Ease the signs
Chronic stage ¢ ˆ ’ The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Kill the germ
- Keep your heartbeat normal and steady
- Prevent or treat blood clots
- Help with pain
- Keep bowel movements normal
What problems could happen?
- Serious heart rhythm problems that may cause sudden death
- Heart enlargement
- Esophagus and colon enlargement
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Protect yourself: ‚
- Apply or spray bug repellent on your skin.
- Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.
- Place wire screens in your windows and doors to keep bugs from going in.
- Sleep under a bug or mosquito net.
- Avoid sleeping inside a house made of mud or adobe. These types of houses are likely to harbor bugs.
- Spray insecticides inside your house.
- Keep wood piles away from homes.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/detailed.html ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/147/viewAbstract ‚
World Health Organization ‚
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs340/en/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚