What is Chagas disease, transmitted by ‘kissing bugs', spreading in the U.S.
They are known as “kissing bugs,” but instead of spreading love, they transmit a parasitic disease that can be deadly.Chagas disease is considered endemic; it’s present in 21 countries in the Americas, excluding the United States. However, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that there is growing evidence challenging the label of the U.S. as non-endemic.The report indicates that infections transmitted by “kissing bugs” have already been identified in eight states: California, Arizona, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas — where it seems to be more common.VaccinesSep 7Florida's plan to drop school vaccine rule won't start for 90 days, won't cover all diseasesLas VegasAug 17Las Vegas' growing mosquito problem is ‘a ticking time bomb'However, the CDC notes that the blood-sucking insects, which are usually found in the southern part of the country, are present in 32 states.Here is what you need to know about the causes of Chagas disease, the symptoms, and how you can protect yourself.How is Chagas disease transmitted to humans?Chagas disease is an infection transmitted by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite found in the feces of the triatomine insect or “kissing bug.”The insects are often called “kissing bugs” because they tend to bite people’s faces.The insects hide in cracks in walls or ceilings during the day and come out at night, often feeding on people while they sleep.According to the Mayo Clinic, an infected insect defecates after feeding, leaving parasites on the human’s skin. The parasites then enter the body through the eyes, mouth, a cut or scratch, or the wound from the insect bite.Once in the human body, the parasites multiply and spread.How is the disease transmitted?According to the Mayo Clinic, the infection can spread by:Eating raw foods that have feces from insects infected with the parasiteBeing born to a person who is infected with the parasiteReceiving blood from a donor or an organ from someone who was infected with the parasiteBeing exposed to the parasite while working in a laboratorySpending time in an area where there are infected wild animals, such as raccoons and opossumsNo, the disease is not transmitted through contact with an infected person.What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?Chagas disease does not always cause symptoms.According to the Mayo Clinic, the parasite can cause a sudden and brief illness or it can become a long-lasting chronic condition. The CDC indicates that it has two stages.Symptoms of the acute phase: The acute phase of Chagas disease can last weeks or months. If there are symptoms, they may include:Swelling at the site of infectionFeverFatigueRashBody acheSwollen eyelidHeadacheLoss of appetiteNausea, diarrhea, or vomitingSwollen glandsEnlarged liver or spleenIf the infection is not treated, Chagas disease remains in the body and can progress to a chronic condition.According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the chronic phase may appear 10 to 20 years after the infection begins. In severe cases, symptoms of Chagas disease may include:Symptoms of the chronic phase:Irregular heartbeatsHeart failureSudden cardiac arrestTrouble swallowingStomach pain or difficulty passing stool, called constipationPossible complications of the disease include heart failure, an enlarged esophagus that can cause a rarecondition called megaesophagus, and an enlarged colon, the clinic reportsWhat are the risk factors for Chagas disease, and how can you protect yourself?According to the Mayo Clinic, living in rural areas of Central America, South America, and Mexico, living in a building that has triatomine bugs, or receiving blood or an organ from a donor who has the infection, can increase the risk of contracting the disease.If you live in an area at high risk for Chagas disease, you can take the following steps to protect yourself:Do not sleep in a mud, straw, or adobe houseUse a net soaked with insecticide over the bed with the sides tucked inUse insecticides to eliminate bugs from a houseUse insect repellent on exposed skinHealth experts recommend seeking a healthcare professional if you have been in an area where ChagasDisease is common and has symptoms of the condition
The CDC reports that infections transmitted by these “kissing bugs” have already been identified in eight states: California, Arizona, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas – where the disease appears to be more prevalent.
But what exactly is Chagas disease, and how can you protect yourself?
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is found in the feces of the triatomine insect, better known as the “kissing bug.” These insects get their nickname from their tendency to bite people's faces, often while they sleep. During the day, they hide in cracks in walls or ceilings, emerging at night to feed.
The Mayo Clinic explains that after feeding, an infected bug defecates, leaving parasites on the skin. These parasites can then enter the body through the eyes, mouth, a cut, a scratch, or the insect bite itself. Once inside, the parasites multiply and spread throughout the body.
The disease can also be transmitted through other means, including: eating raw foods contaminated with infected insect feces, congenital transmission from an infected mother to her child, blood transfusions or organ transplants from infected donors, laboratory exposure, and contact with infected wild animals like raccoons and opossums. Importantly, Chagas disease is not spread through contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of Chagas disease can be subtle, and many people don't even realize they're infected. The disease has two phases: acute and chronic. The acute phase, lasting weeks or months, may present with symptoms like swelling at the bite site, fever, fatigue, rash, body aches, swollen eyelids, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, swollen glands, and an enlarged liver or spleen.
If left untreated, Chagas disease can progress to a chronic condition, with symptoms potentially appearing 10 to 20 years after the initial infection. These chronic symptoms can include irregular heartbeats, heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, and constipation.