Why is Chagas a silent disease?

Chagas disease is prevalent among poor populations of continental Latin America but is increasingly being detected in other countries and continents. It is often termed as a “silent and silenced disease” as the infected majority have no symptoms or extremely mild symptom.

Why this disease is called the silent and silenced disease?

Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, has been termed as a “silent and silenced disease”, not only because of its slowly progressing and frequently asymptomatic clinical course but also because it affects mainly poor people who have no political voice or access to health care.

Is Chagas disease asymptomatic?

Many people may remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop severe and sometimes life-threatening medical problems over the course of their lives. A dilated esophagus or colon, leading to difficulties with eating or passing stool.

Why is Chagas disease a neglected tropical disease?

The current shortage of benznidazole makes Chagas disease a neglected tropical disease also in developed countries.

Why is Chagas or the kissing bug disease considered an immigrant disease?

For the most part, they are immigrants from Latin America who were infected there. And this is why most American doctors do not know about Chagas or how to treat it, and why it is classified as a neglected tropical disease — it primarily afflicts poor immigrants.

Chagas: The Silent Disease

Why do we still have not a vaccine against Chagas disease?

Finally, Chagas disease primarily affects the less privileged segment of our society, and, currently, the transmission is limited to a few geographic areas. Hence, the effort and costs of developing this vaccine maybe not of economic interest to the pharmaceutical industry.

Who is the most common victim of Chagas?

People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

What happens if Chagas disease is left untreated?

Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems. During the acute phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease focuses on killing the parasite. In people who have chronic Chagas disease, it's no longer possible to kill the parasite.

How common is Chagas disease in USA?

More than 5 million people worldwide have Chagas disease. In the United States, there are estimated to be at least 300,000 cases of chronic Chagas disease among people originally from countries of Latin America where Chagas disease is endemic.

Is Chagas disease a concern in the US?

In the Americas, Chagas disease show an annual incidence of 30,000 new cases average, 12,000 deaths per year, and 8,600 newborns become infected during gestation. It is estimated that around 70 million people in the Americas live in areas of exposure and are at risk of contracting this disease.

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.

Is Chagas easily diagnosed?

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.

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.

What does a silent disease mean?

What Is a Silent Condition? Silent conditions are medical issues with no symptoms that are obvious to you, the person with the condition, and/or to others. When you have a broken leg, it's not a silent condition.

What disease is known as the silent?

Osteoporosis is called a “silent disease” because it progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs.

What is the theme of Chagas disease Day?

The theme for 2022 is finding and reporting every case to defeat Chagas disease.

What state has the most kissing bugs?

Most of the world's kissing bugs are in Central and South America and Mexico. They've also been found in the United States in the lower 28 states, with higher concentrations in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Kissing bugs have been spotted a far north as Delaware, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Should I be worried about Chagas disease?

Decades after being infected, about 30 percent of those who have Chagas develop serious health effects, including cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), heart failure, heart rhythm problems, and strokes. Less common are disorders that affect the digestive system.

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.

What are the chances of dying from Chagas disease?

The parasite that causes Chagas disease is found only in the Americas, where an estimated 7 million people are infected. 1 In the United States, more than 300,000 people are living with the disease. 300,000 living with Chagas in the U.S. Chagas disease causes approximately 10,000 deaths per year globally.

Can ivermectin cure Chagas disease?

Ivermectin and Chagas disease

To our knowledge, a connection between ivermectin and T. cruzi has never been described in the literature (in neither animal reservoirs nor humans). 1 17 To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no evidence that would justify CD treatment with ivermectin.

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.

How long can you live with Chagas?

About 70-80% of people will remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop health problems years to decades later that are often fatal.

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.

What does Chagas do to the heart?

Chagas cardiomyopathy represents the most frequent and serious complication of chronic Chagas disease, affecting about 20-30% of patients, potentially leading to heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolism, stroke and sudden death.