Is Chagas Disease Contagiousness

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, my mother was diagnosed with chronic Chagas Disease in the last year or two and I am worried about the potential contagiousness of the disease between people. I have lived with her for the better part of 18 years, and for long periods of time in the past 4. So far my brother, sister, and I have all tested negative for the chagas antibody test, but have yet to take a PCR test. My mother would have contracted the disease when she was young in her native Bolivia; she came to the United States at age 20 and is currently 50. She is currently not recieving any drug-related Chagas treatment. Would her age and early time of contraction mean she has lower levels of active infection and thus a lower risk of transmission to me? Does my potential exposure to Chagas antibodies in the womb give me some level of immunity? She also cooks meals for my family and I and we share a common bathroom. Are these potential risk factors for contraction? I have heard Chagas can be transmitted through blood, feces, and saliva. Thank you.

Dear Derek: Chagas disease is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzia which is carried by reduvid bugs and is not spread through feces and saliva. The risk factor for acquiring chagas disease is living is crowded conditions and blood transfusion. It may take upto 20 years for complications of heart and digestive systems. A PCR test will be able to identify the strain of the parasite. Hope this answers your question, take care.