Are You Worried About Chagas Disease?

When doctors start comparing a disease to AIDS, it's time to take a closer look at what's going on. You don't want to start freaking out without reason, but you don't want to shrug it off, either. Chagas disease is a nearly incurable disease caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, or the "kissing bug," and has affected approximately 8 million people worldwide, and 300,000 people in the U.S. But it's not a death sentence, and, incidentally, it's not spread by kissing.

According to PubMed Health, Chagas is either spread by infected kissing bugs (in areas where they're common, such as South America), or by blood transfusion in areas where they're not (such as the U.S.). It can also be passed on Symptoms include fever, constipation, abdomen pain, and loss of appetite. The real danger is in its potential to impact the heart, which could lead to death. Does it sound like something you should be afraid of?