We always talk about diseases like dengue and malaria, right? But there are some diseases that we don't hear much about, but it is very important to know about. One such disease is Chagas disease. Although this is not very common in our country, it is very important to be aware of it, especially if you are traveling to South American countries. This disease is caused by a very small parasite. Medically speaking, the name of this parasite is `Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi)`.
How does this disease enter the body?
The first thing to understand is that this is not a disease that can be easily spread from person to person like a cold. It has a specific way of spreading.
This disease is spread by a special insect. They are called "kissing bugs". In Sinhala, they can also be called "kissing bug". Isn't that a strange name? They got that name because they like to suck blood from the delicate skin around people's eyes and mouths while they are sleeping. Since the bite of this insect is not very painful, a sleeping person may not even notice it.
But the amazing thing is, this disease is not spread by the insect's bite. It's spread by the insect's feces! Imagine that this insect has previously sucked the blood of an animal or a human with this disease. Then the `T. cruzi` parasite enters the insect's body. Then when this insect sucks blood from another person, it defecates on that person's body. The parasite in that feces enters the body either through the wound the insect has bitten, or through our eyes, nose, or mouth.
Simply put, the insect bites, defecates nearby, and the disease develops when that feces enters our body without us knowing it.
Aside from this insect, this disease can be transmitted in several other ways:
- Blood transfusion or organ transplant: Receiving blood or an organ from someone who has the disease. (Now in many countries of the world, blood donations are tested for this disease.)
- Through food: By eating uncooked food contaminated with the parasite or by eating undercooked meat from a sick animal.
- From mother to child: If a pregnant mother has this disease, it can also be transmitted to the baby in the womb.
What are the symptoms of this?
There are two main phases of Chagas disease: the first phase (acute phase) and the second phase (chronic phase).
First, that is, the acute phase.
During this time, symptoms are very mild. Sometimes, there may be no symptoms at all. If there are any, they may be similar to those of a common cold.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Fever and malaise | It may feel like a normal viral fever. Your body aches and you feel tired. |
| Skin rash | Red or brown spots may appear on the skin. |
| A wound where the parasite entered | The site of the insect bite may be swollen, red, and look like a wound. |
| Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite | There may be problems with the digestive system. |
| Eyelid swelling | This is a special symptom. If the parasite enters through the eye, one eyelid will swell. This is also called Romaña's sign in medicine. |
These early symptoms—if any—often subside on their own within a few weeks or months. But the problem is, the disease is not cured! The parasite remains inside the body. For young children and those with weakened immune systems, this early stage can be dangerous.
Second, that is the chronic phase.
Even if there are no symptoms at first, the parasite can remain dormant in the body and re-emerge years, even decades later . This second stage is the most dangerous. During this time, serious heart and digestive problems can occur.
- Enlargement of the heart, esophagus, or colon.
- Heart failure.
- Irregular heart rate.
- Blood clots.
- Sudden cardiac arrest.
How is it treated?
Chagas disease is easiest to treat in the early stages, but it is difficult to diagnose at that stage because there are no symptoms.
If you suspect you have this disease, especially if you have traveled to a region like South America, be sure to see your doctor. Tell him or her about your travel history. Blood tests can confirm whether you have this disease. If you are diagnosed with the disease, you may also need to have tests such as an EKG to see if your heart has been affected.
There are two main types of drugs used to treat this disease: `benznidazole` and `nifurtimox`. These drugs work by destroying the parasites in the body. If these drugs are taken early in the disease, the results are much better. As the disease progresses, the effectiveness of the drugs may decrease.
This medicine should be taken continuously for about two months. Also, some side effects may occur, especially in the elderly. Therefore, all these treatments should be done under the strict supervision of a doctor. This medicine is not given to pregnant mothers, but if the newborn baby is infected, the baby can be treated.
Is there a way to protect against this?
The sad thing is, a vaccine has not yet been found to prevent this disease.
So the best thing to do is to stay away from the "kissing bug." These insects mostly live in the cracks in the walls of houses made of clay, straw, and palm leaves. If you are traveling to a South American country, avoid staying in such places. Also, using a net, such as a mosquito net, when sleeping can provide great protection.
Take-Home Message
- Chagas disease is not transmitted by a "kissing bug" bite, but by its feces entering the body.
- This disease is most common in South American countries, so be very careful if you are traveling to those areas.
- Early symptoms may be mild or absent, but after years of being in the body, the parasite can cause serious heart disease.
- If you have traveled to such an area and feel unwell, see your doctor immediately and tell them about your trip.
- Since there is no vaccine for this, the best thing to do is to protect yourself from insects.
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