Chagas disease - Nature Cures®

Table of Contents

Chagas disease is caused by a protozoan parasite known as Trypanosoma cruzi and is spread by kissing bugs also known as Triatomine bugs. These are most commonly found in rural parts of Mexico and Central and South America as well as parts of Asia and Africa.

How is chagas disease caught?

The kissing bug picks up the parasite by feeding on the blood of an infected animal or human and then deposits the parasites on human skin when it feeds, typically at night.

The kissing bug spreads the parasite through their droppings, which can then infect humans if they enter the body through a cut or via the eyes or mouth.

The parasite can be passed from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or birth. It can also be transmitted through contaminated blood products or organ transplants and can be transmitted sexually. Eating food or drinking beverages that have been contaminated with the faeces of infected bugs can also lead to transmission.

Symptoms of chagas disease

Body aches
Diarrhoea
Eye lid swelling (known as Romaña’s sign)
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Rash, which may also include a skin lesions
Swollen glands (lymph nodes)
Vomiting

The chronic phase, which can appear 10-20 years later and can be asymptomatic or lead to severe heart problems (heart failure, arrhythmias) or digestive issues (enlarged colon or oesophagus n).

Some studies suggest that the common bed bug may be a competent carrier of the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and therefore could pose a risk for vector-borne transmission of chagas disease.

Due to a high population of Latin Americans in London UK, it is estimated that a few thousand could be infected with chagas disease.

Preventing chagas disease

Stay in well-built up places (like air-conditioned or screened hotel rooms or houses). This lowers the risk of contact with infected kissing bugs, which often live in poorly built dwellings and are active at night.
Sleep under bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide.
Wear clothing that covers the skin and apply insect repellent spray on skin that’s exposed.
Avoid eating salads, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits, and unpasteurised fruit juices.

Natural remedies for chagas disease

Studies have found that Amaryllidaceae plants such as onions and garlic may have the potential to kill the chagas disease parasite as well as the medicinal remedies below:

Bolivian coriander (Porophyllum ruderale)
Copaiba balsam (Copaifera officinalis)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Pepper (Piperaceae)

Conventional medicine for chagas disease

The drugs used to combat chagas disease, benznidazole and nifurtimox, must be administered in the early stages to avoid the chronic outcomes that can occur. These drugs are taken daily for up to 60 days and side effects are usually mild and get better by themselves.

For other common skin parasites see>>

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius)
Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis)
Chiggers (Prostigmata, harvest mites and scrub mites)
Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis, ‘crabs’)
Scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei)

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