Information for families who have lived in or travelled through Central or South America
Chagas disease is an infection caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. It is found in parts of Central and South America, and less commonly in the southern United States. Many people who have the infection do not know they have it, and feel completely well for years, sometimes for their whole life. After 10-30 years, around 30-40% of people with Chagas disease can develop problems with their heart, their bowel, or their nervous system. This is why testing is important for anyone who has lived in an area where it is common.
Chagas disease is usually spread by an insect known as the "kissing bug", which lives in poor quality housing, such as homes made of mud brick or with thatched roofs, in parts of Central and South America. The bug bites at night and leaves droppings near the bite, and scratching the bite can carry the parasite into the body.
Less often, Chagas disease can also spread:
You cannot catch Chagas disease through everyday contact with someone who has it, such as touching, hugging, coughing, or sharing food.
Testing is recommended for anyone who has lived in or travelled through areas where Chagas disease is common, and is a particular priority for:
Testing is done with a blood test. If the result is positive, a second test is used to check the result.
If a test comes back positive, your doctor will talk with you about the next steps, which usually include:
People with Chagas disease need long term monitoring for heart problems, abdominal and other symptoms. This is standard care for everyone diagnosed with Chagas disease.
Chagas disease can be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. Being tested and treated before pregnancy greatly lowers this risk. Please tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, so this can be discussed with you.
If you or your child have Chagas disease, or have lived in an area where it is common, you will not be able to donate whole blood in Australia, although you can still donate plasma. Your doctor can answer any questions you have about this.