Symptoms, cures and prevention ~

Signs & symptoms

There are two phases to the disease: the acute phase which occurs shortly after the parasite enters the body and the chronic phase which happens if it is left untreated and allowed to develop past the acute phase.

The acute phase will last from weeks to months and is usually unnoticeable because there are no obvious signs. It can exhibit mild symptoms like fever, fatigue, body aches, rashes, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting whereby none are unique to the Chagas disease. Hence, it is hard to identify whether you have been infected with the Chagas disease.The most recognizable sign is the Romaña's sign. It appears as a swelling of the eyelid on the side of the face near the bite wound or where the bug faeces were deposited or rubbed into the eye. 

Although it is rare for someone to die during the acute phase, it can be severe in people with a weak immune system. With treatment, these symptoms can be resolved, but the infection may yet persist and enter the chronic phase. 

In the chronic phase, the Chagas disease can be categorized into two types: determinate chronic Chagas disease and indeterminate chronic Chagas disease. Individuals that suffer from determinate chronic Chagas disease will develop life-threatening and digestive disorders during their remaining lifespan while Individuals that suffer from indeterminate chronic Chagas disease will not develop any symptoms. Statistics show that 60 to 80% of individuals that pass into the chronic phase will have indeterminate chronic Chagas disease, while the remaining 20% to 40% will suffer from determinate chronic Chagas disease. 
Among those suffering from determinate chronic Chagas disease, two-thirds of them will develop cardiac alterations and cardiac damage (incl. dilated cardiomyopathy) which may result in a sudden death. The rest of these individuals may go on to accumulate damage in the neurological, digestive systems or develop mixed alterations which will require treatment. The damage to the digestive system may result in the dilation of the digestive tract (megacolon and megaesophagus) and severe weight loss. This may then lead to malnutrition. 

Treatment

To cure the Chagas disease, the parasite must be killed. The parasite is treated with benznidazole and nifurtimox. This treatment must be done in the early stages because it is only then, that these medicines have an almost 100 % chance of curing the Chagas diseas. As the parasite continues to grow and develop, these medicines becomes less and less effective. Thus it is very important to go for a check up immediately  if you are suspected to have, show signs (Romaña's sign) or have been to places infested with 'kissing bugs' (triatomine bugs). Additionally, benzidazole and nifurtimox should not be taken by pregnant women or individuals with kidney or liver failure. Infected adults with no obvious symptoms will be treated with antiparasitic treatment to prevent and curb disease progression.

Control and prevention

There is no vaccine against the Chagas disease. Hence the most effective measure is to avoid triatomine bugs and it's vector infestations.  Some precautions that can be taken to reduce the spread of the disease, is to (a) do blood screening tests to prevent the spread of infection through transfusion and organ transplantation. (b) spray the surrounding areas and houses with residual insecticides. (c) the screening of newborns and children of infected mothers to provide early diagnosis and treatment. Last but not least, (d) to have good hygiene practices in food preparations, transportation, storage and consumptions should be taken.

Ref:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs340/en/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagas_disease
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chagas-disease-overview?page=2
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs340/en/