Chagas disease: About the infection caused by the ‘kissing bug’

According to the World Health Organization, Chagas disease causes great suffering.

The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated World Chagas Disease Day on April 14 to raise awareness of this often overlooked disease. The global health body said it caused enormous suffering and called for greater public awareness and more funding and support for early diagnosis and comprehensive follow-up care initiatives. The WHO, which created a dedicated page on its website, said Chagas disease is endemic among poorer populations in the Latin American continent but is increasingly being detected in other countries and continents.

What is Chagas disease?

It is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is named after Carlos Chagas, the Brazilian doctor who discovered it in 1909.

Chagas disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected triatomine bug, also known as the “kissing bug,” which feeds on blood and is active primarily at night. Some experts say it can also be spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants or contaminated food and drinks.

The disease is called a “silent disease” because most people infected have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, the WHO said.

Symptoms of Chagas disease

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, approximately 6-7 million people worldwide are infected with Chagas disease, and approximately 10,000 people die each year.

Johns Hopkins University lists the main symptoms of Chagas disease but warns that it can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses.

Some symptoms are:

• Mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, body aches, and headaches
• rash
• Loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• Vomit
• Swelling or pain near the eyes or on the side of the face that was bitten or infected
• enlarged glands

Stages of Chagas disease

The disease progresses through two stages: acute and chronic. In the first stage, symptoms are mild or no symptoms at all, making diagnosis difficult.

The chronic phase may occur years or even decades after the initial infection. According to Johns Hopkins University, during the chronic stage, the parasites move into a patient’s heart muscle.

It can cause irregular heartbeats and make it difficult to eat or have bowel movements.