Chagas disease, spread by kissing bugs, affects millions globally and causes serious health issues, including heart and digestive complications. The disease is often undetected until symptoms appear years later, and it remains a leading cause of death in Latin America. Kissing bugs transmit the disease through their feces, which can infect broken skin or mucous membranes.
Emiliana Rodriguez, diagnosed with Chagas at age 42, faced childhood fears of the disease, and her doctors took steps to protect her unborn child during her first pregnancy. Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas learned she had Chagas after her son was diagnosed and faced challenges finding proper treatment due to the disease’s rarity in medical practice.
Chagas is often underdiagnosed, with many doctors unaware of its presence. Despite efforts to improve testing, progress remains slow. Existing treatments are harsh and less effective for adults, and prevention, like sealing homes and using window screens, is key to controlling the spread of the disease.