Chagas disease is also known as American Trypanosomiasis and is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is usually transmitted by the bite of an insect vector, the kissing bug. The disease, however, may also follow breast feeding and blood transfusion. A nodular swelling called chagoma appears at the site of the bug bite. The acute phase of the disease can last 2 to 3 months. Symptoms include fever, headache, anorexia, conjunctivitis, and myocarditis. Infants can develop meningitis and heart problems. The parasite can cause congestive heart failure and ventricular aneurysms. Although Chagas disease may occur in North America, the disease happens more often in Central an South America.
Chagas disease is also known as American Trypanosomiasis and is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is usually transmitted by the bite of an insect vector, the kissing bug. The disease, however, may also follow breast feeding and blood transfusion. A nodular swelling called chagoma appears at the site of the bug bite. The acute phase of the disease can last 2 to 3 months. Symptoms include fever, headache, anorexia, conjunctivitis, and myocarditis. Infants can develop meningitis and heart problems. The parasite can cause congestive heart failure and ventricular aneurysms. Although Chagas disease may occur in North America, the disease happens more often in Central an South America.
