Incidence and risk factors for Chagas Disease

Chagas Disease has two phases: acute and chronic. The first phase can occur without any symptoms or with very mild symptoms. Acute phase symptoms can include inflammation and reddening of the infection site (where the bloodsucking insect has caused the initial infection).

Later, inflammation of the eye and the lymphatic glands that drain the bite area can occur. As the parasite spreads from the infection site, the patient presents fever, general discomfort, and widespread inflammation of the lymphatic glands. Likewise, the liver and spleen can increase in size.

The disease decreases in intensity after the acute phase and can become chronic without presenting any subsequent symptoms during many years. When symptoms finally emerge, they appear as cardiopathy (cardiomyopathy) and digestive disorders.

Patients can present congestive cardiac failure and the first digestive disorder symptom can be difficulty in swallowing, which can lead to malnutrition. Patients that present a parasitic infection in the colon can experience abdominal pain and constipation. Cardiopathy is, in general, the cause of death of the patient.