Symptoms of Chagas’ Disease

Chagas disease has two stages: acute and chronic.

 Symptoms in the acute phase may only occur in about 1% of Chagas cases, and will generally appear approximately one to two weeks following infection.

Acute Stage Symptoms:

• fever
• facial swelling or swelling around the site of the bite
• enlarged and painful lymph glands and fatigue
• In infants or young children severe brain damage causing death may occur. The symptoms may last for 4-8 weeks before disappearing

In the chronic stage of the disease, symptoms may not appear until 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years following infection
Chronic Stage Symptoms:

• Cardiac problems including cardiomyopathy (or an enlarged heart); altered heart rate or heart rhythm abnormalities, or cardiac arrest
• Esophagus enlargement or increasing size of the large bowel causing difficulties with swallowing or severe constipation