Chagas disease (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Who is at risk for Chagas disease?== | ==Who is at risk for Chagas disease?== | ||
Risk factors for Chagas disease include: | |||
* Living in a hut where reduvid bugs live in the walls | |||
* Living in Central or South America | |||
* Poverty | |||
* Receiving a blood transfusion from a person who carries the parasite but does not have active Chagas disease | |||
==How to know you have Chagas disease?== | ==How to know you have Chagas disease?== |
Revision as of 16:05, 30 July 2010
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What is Chagas disease?
What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?
Chagas disease has two phases -- acute and chronic. The acute phase may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Swelling of one eye
- Swollen red area at site of insect bite
After the acute phase the disease goes into remission. No other symptoms may appear for many years. When symptoms finally develop, they may include:
- Constipation
- Digestive problems
- Pain in the abdomen
- Swallowing difficulties
What are the causes of Chagas disease?
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite related to the African trypanosome that causes sleeping sickness. It is spread by reduvid bugs and is one of the major health problems in South America. Due to immigration, the disease also affects people in the United States.
Who is at risk for Chagas disease?
Risk factors for Chagas disease include:
- Living in a hut where reduvid bugs live in the walls
- Living in Central or South America
- Poverty
- Receiving a blood transfusion from a person who carries the parasite but does not have active Chagas disease
How to know you have Chagas disease?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Chagas disease
Directions to Hospitals Treating Chagas disease