CHAGAS DISEASE

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of the said disease can range from mild to severe. Some people do not experience symptoms until they reached the chronic stage. Here are some symptoms based on the phase you are experiencing:

Acute Phase

In this phase, Chagas Disease lasts for weeks and months, and usually, the symptoms are not showing. When the signs and symptoms start to show, they are generally mild, and you might experience the following:

• Fever
• Rashes
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

The symptoms that you’ve experienced during the acute phase will disappear on their own. In some cases, if the infection continues and is still untreated, you might proceed to the chronic phase.

The signs and symptoms of Chagas Disease may never show or may show after the initial infection, which is after 10 to 20 years. Here are the signs and symptoms in the chronic stage that you might experience:

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Constipation or pain in the abdomen
• Irregularheartbeat

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor may ask you some questions about the symptoms you are experiencing and the factors that may cause you to experience some signs and symptoms of Chagas Disease.

If you already have the symptoms, blood tests may confirm the existence of the parasite, T. cruzi.

If you are identified as someone who has Chagas Disease, you are expected to go through tests to find out if the said disease has reached the chronic phase. Here are some of the tests:

• Chest X-ray– this process will tell your doctor if your heart has increased in size.
• Upper Endoscopy– a method in which an endoscope (a thin tube), will transfer some pictures of your esophagus into the screen.
• Abdominal X-ray– a method where radiation is capturing images of your colon, intestines, and stomach

TREATMENT

Benznidazole and Nifurtimox are medications that are said to be effective in healing if given as soon as possible after experiencing the beginning of the acute phase. Children ages 2 to 12 are allowed to use Benznidazole, but it is not yet accessible in pharmacies. While Nifurtimox is not yet approved by the FDA, in the regions that are affected by Chagas disease, these drugs are accessible.

When Chagas disease reaches the chronic phase, drugs won’t cure the disease. The people aged 50 and below may still be given drugs because it might help slow down the development of the disease.

If you live in an area where there are vast chances of having Chagas disease, these ways may help avoid having the infection:

• Using insecticide for bugs
• Usinginsect repellent on your skin