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Chagas' disease
affects an estimated 18 to 20 million people in Central, South
America, and the United States. Its symptoms are varied, diffuse,
and may be caused by other diseases besides chagas. Acute
chagas is lethal, especially for children, and chronic chagas
debilitates patients for years (see
diagram).
Chief symptoms
of Chagas' disease include constipation, malaise or a feeling
of always being tired, the inability to swallow, fever, and
varying degrees of discomfort and/or abdominal pain.
These
symptoms are caused by a microscopic pathogen called Trypamosoma
cruzi, or T. cruzi, a protozoan parasite. T.
cruzi is transmitted
to humans by Triatomine insects, called vinchucas
and barbeiros, that are commonly found in poor areas
with unsanitary housing conditions. T.cruzi inhabits
its victims' cells, and colonizes the heart, colon, and esophagus.
This web site
gives information to the patient as well as to the lay person
about Chagas' disease.
© Copyright
University of Texas at Arlington 1998
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