What is the incubation period for Chagas disease?

After the incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks, infected patients enter the acute phase of Chagas disease. Transfusion- and transplant-associated cases may have a longer incubation period, sometimes up to 120 days.

How long does it take for Chagas disease to develop?

Acute Chagas disease occurs immediately after infection, and can last up to a few weeks or months. During the acute phase, parasites may be found in the circulating blood. This phase of infection is usually mild or asymptomatic.

What happens if you get Chagas disease?

In the chronic phase of the disease, the parasite gets inside your heart muscle. This is why later symptoms often involve the heart. Symptoms of Chagas disease in the acute phase (the first few weeks or months) are: Mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, body aches, and headaches.

How do doctors test for Chagas?

The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.

What kills Chagas disease?

Treatment. To kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if given soon after infection at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.

Chagas Disease | American Trypanosomiasis | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Who is most at risk for Chagas?

Risk factors

The following factors may increase your risk of getting Chagas disease: Living in poor rural areas of Central America, South America and Mexico. Living in a residence that contains triatomine bugs. Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a person who carries the infection.

How soon can you test for Chagas?

Because parasitemia peaks during the acute phase of Chagas disease, testing techniques that detect Trypanosoma cruzi within a blood sample (eg, blood smear or polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) can be applied. By contrast, typically few or no parasites are detectable after 8-12 weeks of infection.

How easy is it to get Chagas?

The person can become infected if T. cruzi parasites in the bug feces enter the body through mucous membranes or breaks in the skin. The unsuspecting, sleeping person may accidentally scratch or rub the feces into the bite wound, eyes, or mouth. Accidental laboratory exposure.

Can you survive Chagas disease?

Chagas disease can cause both sudden (acute) and long-term (chronic) symptoms. People can be infected for a long time without showing symptoms. Without treatment, serious complications, including heart and intestinal tract problems, are possible. Chagas disease is curable if treated soon after infection.

Can you cure chronic Chagas?

Once Chagas disease reaches the chronic phase, medications won't cure the disease. But, the drugs may be offered to people younger than age 50 because they may help slow the progression of the disease and its most serious complications.

What percentage of kissing bugs carry Chagas?

Scientists have found that about 50% of kissing bugs are infected with the Chagas parasite. Kissing bugs are a 'vector' because they can carry a parasite that can make people and animal sick. The parasite is Trypanosoma cruzi, and it causes Chagas disease.

Do kissing bugs live in beds?

Kissing bugs can hide in cracks and holes in beds, floors, walls, and furniture. They are most likely to be found: Near places where a pet, such as a dog or cat, spends time. In areas where mice or other rodents live.

Do all kissing bugs carry Chagas?

Kissing bugs can carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease. It's important to know that not all kissing bugs are infected with the parasite, and the likelihood of contracting Chagas disease is low.

What organ does Chagas disease target?

Clinical course

Chronic infections are asymptomatic in two thirds of the human population. Chronic Chagas disease affects mostly the heart and the digestive tract.

How do you protect yourself from Chagas?

What is the mortality rate of Chagas?

Chagas disease causes approximately 10,000 deaths per year globally. Up to 30% of infected people develop symptoms. Chagas disease can cause: Stroke.

What kills the kissing bug?

Pyrethrin. Pyrethrin is an organic insecticide that you can use to kill kissing bugs. It has proven to be fatal because it targets their nervous system. As a result, they become paralyzed and eventually die.

Do kissing bugs bite at night?

They are hosts to the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease in humans. Kissing bugs are bloodsuckers of warm-blooded creatures that feed at night. Klotz J.H.

What attracts kissing bugs?

Kissing bugs can be attracted by light. Consider turning off lights near homes and kennels at night. Seal cracks and gaps to prevent kissing bugs from entering your home. Check windows, walls, roofs, and doors.

Should I be worried about kissing bugs?

The Bottom Line. Kissing bugs can transmit a parasite that leads to a potentially serious illness called Chagas disease. Most cases of Chagas disease occur in Latin America. Although infection directly from exposure to the kissing bug is rare in the US, it is still important to take steps to prevent kissing bug bites.

Where do kissing bugs usually bite?

The bugs might hit anywhere on the body, including the face, head, arms, and feet. Kissing bugs are so named because they like to bite around the mouth or eyes. You'll often see 2-15 bite marks in one area and maybe redness and swelling.

How long can kissing bugs live?

The life span of kissing bugs in North America is approximately a year, perhaps longer for the large southern species, Triatoma recurva. In the temperate zone, there is usually one generation per year, whereas in Mesoamerica and parts of tropical South America, several generations of bugs may occur within a year.

Does Chagas affect the brain?

The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) during human acute and chronic Chagas disease (CD) has been largely reported. Meningoencephalitis is a frequent finding during the acute infection, while during chronic phase the CNS involvement is often accompanied by behavioral and cognitive impairments.

Should I get tested for Chagas?

A specific test is necessary for the diagnosis of Chagas disease. The test detects the presence of the infection through analysis of a blood sample. Anyone who suspects that they may have Chagas disease should ask their doctor to order this test.