Introduction to Chagas Disease
They are known as "kissing bugs," but instead of spreading love, they transmit a parasitic disease that can be deadly.
Chagas disease is considered endemic; it’s present in 21 countries in the Americas, excluding the United States. However, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that there is growing evidence challenging the label of the U.S. as non-endemic.
Spread of Chagas Disease in the U.S.
The report indicates that infections transmitted by "kissing bugs" have already been identified in eight states: California, Arizona, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas — where it seems to be more common.
However, the CDC notes that the blood-sucking insects, which are usually found in the southern part of the country, are present in 32 states.
Understanding Chagas Disease
Here is what you need to know about the causes of Chagas disease, the symptoms, and how you can protect yourself.
How is Chagas Disease Transmitted to Humans?
Chagas disease is an infection transmitted by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite found in the feces of the triatomine insect or "kissing bug."
The insects are often called "kissing bugs" because they tend to bite people’s faces.
The insects hide in cracks in walls or ceilings during the day and come out at night, often feeding on people while they sleep.
According to the Mayo Clinic, an infected insect defecates after feeding, leaving parasites on the human’s skin. The parasites then enter the body through the eyes, mouth, a cut or scratch, or the wound from the insect bite.
Once in the human body, the parasites multiply and spread.
How is the Disease Transmitted?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the infection can spread by:
- Eating raw foods that have feces from insects infected with the parasite
- Being born to a person who is infected with the parasite
- Receiving blood from a donor or an organ from someone who was infected with the parasite
- Being exposed to the parasite while working in a laboratory
- Spending time in an area where there are infected wild animals, such as raccoons and opossums
No, the disease is not transmitted through contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of Chagas Disease
Chagas disease does not always cause symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the parasite can cause a sudden and brief illness or it can become a long-lasting chronic condition. The CDC indicates that it has two stages.
Symptoms of the acute phase: The acute phase of Chagas disease can last weeks or months. If there are symptoms, they may include:
- Swelling at the site of infection
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Body ache
- Swollen eyelid
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Enlarged liver or spleen
If the infection is not treated, Chagas disease remains in the body and can progress to a chronic condition.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the chronic phase may appear 10 to 20 years after the infection begins. In severe cases, symptoms of Chagas disease may include: - Irregular heartbeats
- Heart failure
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Trouble swallowing
- Stomach pain or difficulty passing stool, called constipation
- Possible complications of the disease include heart failure, an enlarged esophagus that can cause a rare condition called megaesophagus, and an enlarged colon, the clinic reports
Risk Factors and Protection
According to the Mayo Clinic, living in rural areas of Central America, South America, and Mexico, living in a building that has triatomine bugs, or receiving blood or an organ from a donor who has the infection, can increase the risk of contracting the disease.
If you live in an area at high risk for Chagas disease, you can take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Do not sleep in a mud, straw, or adobe house
- Use a net soaked with insecticide over the bed with the sides tucked in
- Use insecticides to eliminate bugs from a house
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin
- Health experts recommend seeking a healthcare professional if you have been in an area where Chagas Disease is common and has symptoms of the condition
Conclusion
Chagas disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can be spread through the bite of an infected "kissing bug." While it is considered endemic in many countries in the Americas, there is growing evidence that it may be more common in the United States than previously thought. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and risk factors of Chagas disease, individuals can take steps to protect themselves and seek medical attention if they suspect they have been infected.
FAQs
Q: What is Chagas disease?
A: Chagas disease is a parasitic infection transmitted by the bite of an infected triatomine insect, also known as a "kissing bug."
Q: How is Chagas disease transmitted?
A: Chagas disease can be transmitted through the bite of an infected insect, as well as through eating raw foods contaminated with the parasite, being born to an infected mother, receiving infected blood or organs, or being exposed to the parasite in a laboratory setting.
Q: What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?
A: Symptoms of Chagas disease can include swelling at the site of infection, fever, fatigue, rash, body ache, and swollen eyelid, among others. In severe cases, the disease can cause irregular heartbeats, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.
Q: How can I protect myself from Chagas disease?
A: Individuals can protect themselves from Chagas disease by avoiding sleeping in mud, straw, or adobe houses, using insecticide-treated nets, eliminating bugs from homes, using insect repellent, and seeking medical attention if they suspect they have been infected.
Q: Is Chagas disease treatable?
A: Yes, Chagas disease is treatable with antiparasitic medication. However, if left untreated, the disease can progress to a chronic condition and cause serious health complications.
