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Chagas Disease is an infection caused by a parasite called, “Trypanosoma cruzi”. It can transmit to animals and human by an insect vector or “kissing bug”. If you are bitten by a kissing bug it results in infection and inflammation of the tissues.
Kissing Bugs also known as cone-nose bugs or chinches. It is a parasite that causes Chagas disease. It feeds on blood at night. They’re called as kissing bugs because they bite around human eyes or mouth.
Carlos Chagas is a Brazilian Physician was the first who discovered this disease in 1909. The T. cruzi infection is referred to American Trypanosomiasis. This disease mostly occurs in America. Typically in rural areas where people experiencing poverty.
RISK FACTORS
The infection of this disease comes through contact with the stool of a kissing bug. The infection may also occur from the following:
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms that a person can get in acute phase are:
Chronic condition occurs in the heart and gastrointestinal tract. The following are the symptoms that a person can get depending on the organs most affected:
The parasite can cause damage to the nerve cells of the affected tissue.
DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will conduct a physical test to know if you’re infected by the disease. You’ll undergo a blood test. If you’re infected, an additional test will follow such as:
TREATMENT
Treatment for this disease is essential to kill the parasite in the tissues. Medication available for Chagas disease includes:
For heart-related Complication: this includes devices to regulate the heart rhythm, surgery, and heart transplant.
For digestive-related Complication: includes medication, diet, and surgery.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
The following are the preventive measure and control for Chagas disease: