Blood-sucking bug transmits tropical disease: Millions of people get sick with "Chagas"

Chagas disease is transmitted by blood-sucking predatory bugs.

You can find out which symptoms sufferers show and whether Germany is a risk area here.

There are many viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The most prominent representative among the viruses is currently by far the coronavirus. But many other viruses and parasites can also be caught through contact with animals or insects. These include the trypanosomes: parasites that occur in a wide variety of vertebrates and are usually transmitted by insects.

An infection with the pathogen

Trypanosoma cruzi

can result in what is known as American trypanosomiasis, also known as Chagas disease.

As the specialist portal

MSD Manual

informs,

T. cruzi 

is transmitted

by nocturnal predatory bugs in South and Central America, Mexico and very rarely in the USA.

Domestic dogs, possums, armadillos, rats, raccoons and many other animals can also transmit the pathogen.

Infection is also possible if you eat food that has come into contact with infected Triatominae beetles or their faeces.

Likewise, an organ donor infected with Chagas can pass the disease on.

Most of the time, Chagas disease is transmitted via bedbug bites, according to the

MSD Manual.

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Tropical disease Chagas: More than 16 million infected people worldwide

As the portal

tropical institute

informs, there are said to be more than 16 million infected people worldwide.

In Bolivia, it could even affect a quarter of the population.

According to the

MSD Manual

,

most patients live

in Latin America,

but there are also infected people in Europe - albeit far fewer.

Changas disease is so tricky because it can take a chronic course - even if those affected do not show any typical symptoms.

In addition, the effectiveness of the treatment decreases as the infection lasts, according to the

MSD Manual

.

Chagas disease is treated with the drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole, which can only be used in an inpatient setting.

The following symptoms can indicate an infection with

T. cruzi:

• Cardiac arrhythmias 

• gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and pelvic pain

• fever

• Shortness of breath

• Meningitis

Chronic course of Chagas disease

There are also cases of illness that are asymptomatic. According to the

MSD Manual

,

about 20-30 percent of patients develop a chronic disease after years or decades in which the pathogens have "slumbered" in the body

. The nervous system, heart and intestines are particularly affected. Even dementia is possible as a result of the neurological disorders, according to

Tropeninstitut.de

.

Not treated early, Chagas disease causes damage to the heart muscle, intestines, and nervous system.

To prevent the disease, you should sleep under mosquito nets in risk countries such as Bolivia or Colombia.

In general, you should protect yourself from potential pathogens by wearing long clothing and insect repellants.

If you have complaints after the trip, it is advisable to consult a specialist who can test you for possible tropical diseases.

(jg)

Sources: https://www.msdmanuals.com/de-de/profi/;

https://tropeninstitut.de/krankheiten-az/chagas-krankheit

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