What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?

What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?

Chagas disease occurs in two distinct phases:

The acute (sudden) phase

Symptoms are generally mild or go unnoticed, including:

• Swelling at the site of the bug bite/ contact with the bug feces.
• Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, fatigue and headache.
• Muscle pain.
• Abdominal pain.
• Enlarged spleen or liver.
• Swollen glands.

The phase may last a few days or a few weeks.

The chronic (long-term) phase

Symptoms may start years or even decades after the initial infection. They include:

• Chest pain.
• Heart palpitations.
• Shortness of breath.
• Difficulty eating.
• Difficulty passing stool.
• Dizziness.
• Fainting.
• Fatigue.
• Sudden death.