Chagas Disease Considered To Be The New AIDS of the Americas

Posted by Ronald Silva On Jun 1, 2012 6:42pm in Health

With 20 million people already affected by this tropical parasitic disease, the Chagas disease is likely to turn into a pandemic that will not be contained by the borders of Mexico, the United States or South America. In fact, the Chagas disease is considered to be the new AIDS of the Americas.

A report published in late May in journal PLoS made it clear that the Chagas disease is quite a big risk. Experts in tropical diseases discussed the disease and found several aspects that make Chagas very alike with HIV. Although it is mostly considered a risk for countries with numerous poor populations, the United States has its own share of Chagas cases. Texas seems to be most vulnerable as most of the 30,000 U.S. citizens suffering with Chagas live in southern Texas.

For the layperson, it’s likely the comparison tropical disease experts with Baylor College of Medicine in Texas made looks like a bit too much. But a brief look at the disease’s symptoms and rates of spreading is enough to understand why experts called the Chagas disease the new AIDS of the Americas.

The first official modern era case of Chagas disease was reported in early 1900s, but the kissing bug disease has been a threat for 9,000 years. A parasite, named Trypanosoma cruzi has been found as the cause of the Chagas disease. Once the parasite gets into the body, it begins multiplying within the cells and once the cells can’t contain them they are released into the bloodstream.

The Chagas disease has two phases, but the chronic phase is the more serious as the infection can stay hidden for decades at a time. Although it evolves only in a third of patients, the chronic phase of the Chagas disease tends to be quite damaging, with cardiovascular and intestinal complications.

The report authors explained that there are “a number of striking similarities between people living with Chagas diseased and people who contracted the [HIV/AIDS] in first two decades of the…epidemic”. Also, as the report reads, the “endemic Chagas diseases has emerged as an important health disparity in the America…As a result, we face a situation in both Latin America and the US that bears a resemblance to the early years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic”.

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Comments

George Douglas Jun 1, 2012 10:42pm

This disease is beign spread into our country by Illegal aliens for Mexico and Central/South America. Obama doesn't want to stop them. The liberals don.t want to stop them. They bring Cholera, polio, and now Chagas into our country, along with everything else.

Don Leo Jun 1, 2012 10:49pm

Is anybody aware that a Vaccine for this disease exists since the 1960's?
This is news as is that half of the world is dying of diseases that are preventable or that already have a cure.
The article's title smells like tabloid headline

Steven Bowling Jun 1, 2012 10:56pm

Think twice before you eat at that Taco Stand in Tijuana.

Steven Bowling Jun 1, 2012 10:59pm

This disease has nothing to do with AIDS.
AIDS is transmitted by gay men having unprotected sex.
Them queers are always trying to lump in all diseases with AIDS

Marcos Jun 1, 2012 11:04pm

A little overly dramatic reporting would you say? Comparing this disease to AIDS.

Mark Jun 1, 2012 11:06pm

It would be nice if you could ever read a blog following any article on any topic, that some mindless pissant doesn't try to turn into a political argument against lib'rals etc. In other words, stay on topic bubba. Regarding Chagas, migrants don't spread the disease. It's only transmission apart from an insect bite is through contaminated blood donations, and the U.S. screens for chagas during same.

MIMI Jun 1, 2012 11:13pm

Watch youtube video- HOUSE OF NUMBERS
You will find interesting stuff about AIDS and the worldwide politics of AIDS

Bright Light Jun 1, 2012 11:31pm

1. To the ignorant person that posted earlier... HIV is a virus and can be passed by heterosexual and vaginal sex.

2. Insects and parasites are not a virus, so how you treat that would be DIFFERENT from fighting AIDS/HIV.

Julie Jun 1, 2012 11:40pm

This is absoutlely ridiculous AIDS? 3 weeks ago the news stated that 1/3 of South Americans have tape worms in their brains, now we apparently have a new AIDS epidemic that we should be worried about. HIV/AIDS changed the mindset/lifestyle of an entire generation. Please be more responsible with your choice of words.

Kelly Jun 4, 2012 12:47am

The reason they probably called this the new AIDS is because they probably expect this to become an epidemic like AIDS is. Other than that I don't see the connection. One is caused by a virus and the other is parasitic...

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