Over 300,000 Americans have already been infected with the potentially fatal 'kissing bug disease' called Chagas
Chagas is being called the new AIDS because of its asymptomatic beginnings that can turn to a fatal end if the disease progresses
Many doctors aren't aware of the prevalence of Chagas and aren't testing people for the disease
It causes heart failure and other deadly complications that by the time they are realized cannot be helped with medicine.
The CDC believes most of the people infected with Chagas got the parasite in Mexico or South America before coming to the U.S.
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| Trypanosoma cruzi - kissing bug |
Over 300,000 Americans have already been infected with the potentially fatal 'kissing bug disease' called Chagas but U.S. healthcare workers lack of knowledge about the illness is letting many cases of the parasite unnoticed. Some doctors are calling it the 'new AIDS' because of the way it develops.
Researchers who gathered on Tuesday at the annual American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting in New Orleans said that if caught early the disease can be cured however sometimes the disease can be asymptomatic and there is a dearth in medication for the condition.