posted
So, I was looking at that long differential diagnosis page, and also, have noticed people writing about the mystery bug.
I have wondered why Chagas disease never seems to come up. It's a parasite, transmitted by bugs...and the chronic symptoms are like lyme. Lots of people are infected--it's considered more of a South American thing, but there's plenty of it in Mexico and has been in the US.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Good point to consider.
PBS has an excellent segment on that as part of a Heart documentary a couple years ago. Symptoms sure are similar to chronic lyme. I think everyone should be screened.
Episode 2: The Spark of Life - you can watch the full program on your computer for free.
Update: MAGDAL GONZAGA DE SILVA - Chagas Disease
Dr. Rassi in Goiania reports that two months after Magdal received his implantable defibrillator the device fired, resetting his heart's rhythm. When last examined in September, he was doing very well.
posted
You know, I still have these fits of "do I REALLY have lyme?". My tests were a bit all over the place. Babesia tests were VERY positive, though....which tends to confirm the lyme for me.
But reading about Chagas, and particularly living in California....it sort of baffles me that NO ONE (ID docs) screen or check for a differential diagnosis. Sure, maybe it's mostly a South American thing....but you know, these diseases seem to be racing all over the place.
Reading about it, millions HAVE it and a significant number of people die from it each year. Another hidden illness.
In my case, in particular, I'd been to Argentina....it was a few months after my symptoms first appeared, so I don't think I got anything THERE. But telling doctors my history, you'd have thought someone might have known about it. THe one ID doctor I saw talked about tropical disesases, etc.
anyway....
Posts: 322 | From Venice, CA | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Chagas Disease
. . . Though the disease is generally considered to be mild or even asymptomatic among most, a new study has found that deaths fueled by the infection are much more common than we know -- and are going unrecognized. . . .
While America Ignores A Disease Bigger Than Zika, Its Victims Remain Invisible
Some 300,000 in America have the disease.
By Catharine Smith - HuffPost - August 29, 2017
This article is part of HuffPost’s Project Zero campaign, a yearlong series on neglected tropical diseases and efforts to fight them. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic