{"id":9421,"date":"2019-08-09T07:05:09","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T07:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9421"},"modified":"2021-04-22T17:44:50","modified_gmt":"2021-04-22T17:44:50","slug":"16-popular-symptoms-chagas-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-popular-symptoms-chagas-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Popular Symptoms Chagas Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi can be transmitted to animals and humans through insects. This parasite can cause a person to develop Chagas disease. This disease is only found within the Americas. It is mainly found in the rural areas located in Latin America as this is where poverty is very widespread. Chagas disease is also called American trypanosomiasis. There are likely around 8 million people throughout Central and South America and Mexico who have this disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of these people do not even know that they are infected with this parasite. If the disease is not treated, the infection can last throughout life and can become life-threatening. Chagas disease is not limited to only the rural parts of Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been found in the United States as well as other areas. It is not currently endemic in these areas. It is important to know the symptoms of Chagas disease, especially if you have traveled to an area where it is prevalent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Romana Sign<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Romana’s sign refers to when a child\u2019s eyelid becomes swollen. This is one of the markers that the child has developed acute Chagas disease. The swelling that occurs around the area of the eye is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi<\/a> parasite infecting an area near the eye, typically it is on the eyelid. This often occurs as a child accidentally rubs bug feces in or near the eye. It may also occur if the bite from the insect that was infected is located on the same side of the face as to where the swelling is located. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of this rash around the eye is one of the most common symptoms of this disease. Often, a child may not have any other symptoms aside from this mark. However, if this is left untreated, the parasite can spread throughout the body and cause a host of other health ailments. Treating Chagas disease right away is very important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the body is fighting off any type of infection, chances are high that you are going to run a fever<\/a>. When a person has been infected with the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, a fever is likely to occur. This typically happens not long after the secondary symptoms start to appear. A person may become quite weak and feverish during this stage of the illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fever can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, but the fever will continue to come back until the parasite is eradicated. Fevers are a symptom of many illnesses as the body needs to maintain a temperature that is constant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the lymphatic system is fully engaged and the body enters full defense mode, the blood runs much faster. This causes the body to overheat. This will affect the other organs in the body and cause their functions to become weak, which can cause a person to feel quite ill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early symptom of Chagas disease can often mimic those of having the flu. Often times, the symptoms of Chagas disease are cyclical. They will wane and wax every few weeks. One of the most frequently reported symptoms is exhaustion, tiredness, and a simple lack of energy. This type of fatigue <\/a>will be different from regular tiredness as you will not be able to point to anything as a cause. Fatigue can simply take over your body and can be quite severe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person who is suffering from Chagas disease may find that they need to sleep more than usual. One study of adults with Chagas disease reported that nearly three-fourths of the adults who suffered from the disease reported fatigue as a symptom. Often times, when a person reports being extra tired they are misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or depression. In cases of Chagas disease, fatigue can become quite disabling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Swelling of the Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swollen lymph nodes<\/a> are one of the first signs that something is wrong in the body. When the lymph nodes begin to swell, it is likely that you have an infection of some type. Chagas disease can cause lymph nodes to swell. Typically, if a person is infected with the parasite it will be the lymph nodes located in the area where they were bitten that begin to swell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some people experience swollen lymph nodes in other areas of the body as well, including the neck, face, etc.  If your lymph nodes are swollen and you have any of the other symptoms on this list, you need to see a doctor right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are often the first signs of the parasitic infection and if left untreated it can cause many other health issues. While swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of a number of different ailments, it is important to get checked for Chagas disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Enlarged Spleen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The spleen <\/a>is an organ that has a similar structure to a big lymph node. The job of the spleen is to filter the blood. The spleen is very important when it comes to red blood cell production and is an important part of the immune system. When a person is infected with Chagas disease, the spleen may become enlarged. As the spleen is attempting to filter the parasite out of the bloodstream, it may become overworked and aggravated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this occurs, it may become inflamed and this inflammation can cause the spleen to swell or to become enlarged. A person may feel tenderness in the area of the spleen. There may also be a slight bulge that protrudes from the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An enlarged spleen can become dangerous quite quickly, so it is important to seek medical attention right away so that a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be put into place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Enlarged Liver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The liver <\/a>is located on the right side of the stomach. It is a large organ, weighing at around three pounds. Most of the time you cannot feel your liver because the rib cage provides it with protection. There are two sections of the liver, the left, and the right lobes. The liver is responsible for filtering toxins from the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a very important organ and there are numerous things that can cause it to become overworked. If the body is infected by a parasite, the liver is going to try to help eliminate the parasite from the body. During this process, it may become inflamed because it is being overworked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An overworked liver may stop functioning properly. This can lead to many types of health issues. If you notice tenderness on your right side and have some of the symptoms on this list, it is important to get medical attention right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Cardiac Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If treated early, most people will not develop the chronic stage of Chagas disease<\/a>. However, if left untreated, chronic ailments can occur. The symptoms that occur during the chronic stage can last for decades and possibly for a person\u2019s entire life. Most people will not have any symptoms at all. However, around twenty to thirty percent of people will develop cardiac complications as a result of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the cardiac complications a person may experience include heart failure, an enlarged heart, or an altered heart rhythm or heart rate. Some people may suffer from cardiac arrest, which can cause them to suddenly die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chagas disease can be quite dangerous if it is left untreated. For this reason, if you have any of the symptoms of this disease it is important to make sure that you seek medical care for proper treatment as this can help to avoid these complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Skin Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, some people have Chagas disease and they do not even realize. In fact, many individuals who are infected with this parasite will not have any type of symptoms at all. However, even without symptoms, it can be quite dangerous. One sign that a person may have been infected with this parasite is a rash that appears on the body. This rash may appear and disappear. It can be in any area of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rash <\/a>most often will appear near the site where the person was first infected by a bug bite. However, as the disease is left untreated the rash can spread to other areas of the body as well. If you develop a rash, have a fever, and are showing some of the other symptoms found on this list, it is important to seek medical attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially true if you have traveled to an area where this disease is prevalent, such as Latin or South America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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