American Trypanosomiasis

Definition

Definition of American Trypanosomiasis
Chagas disease is an illness spread by insects. It is common in South and Central America.

Symptoms

Symptoms of American Trypanosomiasis
Chagas disease has two phases: acute and chronic. The acute phase may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Symptoms include:

1. Fever
2. General ill feeling (malaise)
3. Swelling of one eye
4. Swollen red area at site of insect bite

Causes

Causes of American Trypanosomiasis
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite related to the African trypanosome that causes sleeping sickness. It is spread by reduvid bugs and is one of the major health problems in South America. Due to immigration, the disease also affects people in the United States.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of American Trypanosomiasis
Physical examination can confirm the symptoms. Signs may include:

1. Cardiomyopathy
2. Enlarged liver and spleen
3. Enlarged lymph nodes
4. Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
5. Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)

Treatment

Treatment of American Trypanosomiasis
The acute phase and reactivated Chagas disease should be treated. Infants born with the infection should also be treated.

Treating the chronic phase is recommended for both children and adults. Adult patients should talk to their doctor about whether to treat chronic Chagas disease.

Prognosis

Prognosis of American Trypanosomiasis
About 30% of infected people who are not treated will develop chronic or symptomatic Chagas disease. It may take more than 20 years from the time of the original infection to develop heart or digestive problems.

Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia) may cause sudden death. Once heart failure develops, death usually occurs within several years.

Prevention

Prevention of American Trypanosomiasis
Insect control with insecticides and houses that are less likely to have high insect populations will help control the spread of the disease.