While pregnant, Rodríguez learned she had Chagas disease. Fearing for her baby, she underwent treatment, and thankfully, her daughter tested negative.In Mexico, Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas first heard of Chagas when her 18-year-old daughter tested positive after donating blood. Caused by “kissing bugs,” the disease often goes undetected.
Identified in 1909, Chagas is common in Latin America but has spread worldwide. It infects humans through insect bites and feces. The CDC estimates 8 million cases in Latin America, and the WHO reports up to 7 million globally.
Many don’t know they’re infected, and if untreated, it can cause fatal heart and digestive issues,Hernández struggled to find treatment due to misdiagnoses and criticized the Mexican government for downplaying the disease.As a neglected tropical disease, Chagas gets little attention. It spreads through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and mother-to-child transmission,
Treatment options work in infants but cause severe side effects in adults. Moore stresses the need for better medications, but drug companies lack incentives. Hernández continues raising awareness as FINDECHAGAS president.
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