Living with Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi
A tropical parasite disease (Chagas disease) spread by insects, which can affect the heart and digestive system over time.
Understanding Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi
The acute phase may be without symptoms or cause fever, a sore at the bite, swelling of one eyelid, swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged spleen. The chronic phase is lifelong. It can involve the heart (30%), digestive system (10%), nervous system (10%), or a mix (10%).
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Enlarged liver
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Global Autoimmune Institute may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Global Autoimmune Institute
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Global Autoimmune Institute
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is spread by triatomine insects.
Also known as: american trypanosomiasis; chagas disease; chagas-mazza disease; chagas' disease; chagas' disease with digestive system involvement; chagas' disease with nervous system involvement
Patient organizations
- Global Autoimmune InstituteInfection by Trypanosoma cruzi · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi.
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