Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. The parasite is transmitted to animals and people by triatomine insects, also known as kissing bugs, which are mainly found in Latin America. If left untreated, Chagas disease is an inflammatory illness that can cause serious stomach and heart conditions.

Chagas disease has acute (early) and chronic (late) phases. Symptoms of acute Chagas disease can start immediately after infection and last for weeks or months. Symptoms of acute Chagas disease may include fatigue, headache, fever, body aches, swollen glands, swelling at the site where infected, swollen eyelids, rash, loss of appetite, enlarged liver or spleen, and, in rare instances, severe inflammation of the brain, the lining of the brain, or the heart. After the acute phase, many individuals infected with Chagas disease may become asymptomatic. However, some individuals will progress to chronic Chagas disease. Symptoms of chronic Chagas disease may include abnormal heart rhythms, dilated heart, heart failure, cardiac arrest, dilated esophagus, difficulty swallowing, dilated colon, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Treatment for Chagas disease should begin early and may include benznidazole, nifurtimox, corticosteroids, dietary changes, pacemaker implantation, surgery, and heart transplantation.