It begins in the darkness, when most of us are asleep.
A tiny, nearly invisible insect slips into homes, carrying a parasite that can wreak havoc silently — the “kissing bug.” While unnoticed, it spreads Chagas disease, a condition that often goes undetected until severe damage has already been done. Millions of people are infected worldwide, yet many only discover it after tragedy strikes.
Emiliana Rodriguez of Bolivia remembers a chilling moment from her childhood: a friend collapsing and dying on the soccer field. Years later, Emiliana learned the cause was Chagas disease, spread by nocturnal “kissing bugs.”
Chagas is often called the “silent disease” because symptoms may not appear for years, even as the parasite silently damages the heart, digestive system, and other organs.
Around 12,000 people die from it each year, many without ever realizing they were infected. “The fear always came at night,” Emiliana recalls, haunted by the memory of her friend.
Her own diagnosis came during pregnancy, but timely treatment protected her unborn child. In Mexico, Elvira Hernández faced a similar scare when a routine blood test revealed her daughter’s infection. “I felt completely lost and terrified,” she said.
Health experts warn that Chagas remains one of the most neglected tropical diseases. Millions are infected, but only about 10% are ever diagnosed. “Most doctors have little to no training on this disease,” Hernández explained. Treatments exist, but they are often outdated, lengthy, and difficult for patients to complete.
Now based in Spain, Emiliana campaigns to raise awareness. “I’m done with the silence,” she says. “People need to know about Chagas, get tested, and seek treatment before it’s too late.”
Conclusion
Chagas disease continues to lurk in the shadows, silently threatening lives while awareness remains low. Emiliana’s and Elvira’s stories highlight the critical need for early detection, improved medical education, and accessible treatment.
Until the disease receives the attention it deserves, advocates like Emiliana work tirelessly to turn a hidden epidemic into a public conversation — striving to save lives that might otherwise be lost to a disease few talk about.