‘Kissing Bug Disease’ Symptoms & Chagas Treatment: Facts About the 'New AIDS'

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A so-called "kissing bug disease" affects 300,000 Americans. Now that it's quickly taking stage in mainstream media, people are eager to know more about the disease that's being called the "new AIDS".

This new disease being dubbed as the "new AIDS" is putting fear in a lot of people. Natural News reported that the Chagas disease, also known as the "kissing bug disease", does not show symptoms initially. However, it can quickly become fatal, much the same way as AIDS.

Chagas is technically caused by a parasite, and unfortunately, many doctors don't even know that it exists. Researchers said that the disease can be cured easily if it is detected on the early stage but because of its nature, treatment becomes more difficult.

"The disease can be fatal if not treated. You are normally asymptomatic until the disease has progressed, at which time treatment is not helpful. We call this the silent disease," said Baylor College of Medicine in Texas epidemiologist Melissa Nolan Garcia.

According to the CDC website, Chagas is caused by the triatomine bug that can carry the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite that leads to the "kissing bug disease". This type of bug can be found living indoors, in cracks and holes of houses, beneath porches, under cement, in animal burrows, and in dog houses and kennels. They are typically present in the southern part of the United States, Mexico, South America and Central America.

The transfer of the Chagas disease from bug to human can be complicated. The parasite is found in the bug's feces and would defecate on the person while it is feeding on his or her blood, usually when the host is asleep. The transfer begins when the fecal material gets rubbed on the bite wound or any mucous membrane like the eyes or the mouth. The term "kissing bug" comes from the appearance of the symptom, which looks similar to a hickey.

The transmission of the Chagas disease from one person to another is not that contagious, according to Medicine Net. However, the T. cruzi parasite that cause the Chagas disease has been reported to be transferred through blood transfusion, organ transplant, ingestion, inhalation and by mothers to their babies through the placenta.

Symptoms of the Chagas disease include swelling or redness on the affected area, skin rash, headaches, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, liver/spleen enlargement and muscle aches. Severe cases of Chagas reported serious symptoms like palpitations, irregular heartbeats, cardiomyopathy, shortness of breath, stroke, congestive heart failure, dilated esophagus, chronic constipation and abdominal pain, and in worst cases, death.

People infected with the Chagas disease are strongly advised to consult with their healthcare providers. Symptomatic treatment may be done for those who are suffering cardiac and gastrointestinal problems. Patients may be referred to cardiologists, gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialists for better assessment to come up with better treatments that vary from person to person.