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Chagas Disease Discharge Instructions


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. ‚  
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 your child is born with this infection. When the disease reaches the chronic stage, the doctor may only be able to treat the signs. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take your drugs as ordered by the doctor.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have the chronic stage of the disease, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist. This is a cardiologist. You may also need to see a digestive system specialist. This is a gastroenterologist.

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

Will physical activity be limited?


You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

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.
  • Do not donate blood.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Heartbeat is not regular
  • Trouble breathing
  • Fever
  • Very bad belly pain
  • Swollen belly
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
  • I can tell you what I will do if my heartbeat is not regular, or if I have trouble breathing or belly pain.

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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