When Emiliana Rodriguez was a little girl, she recalls watching friends play a nighttime soccer match when one of the players abruptly died on the pitch.
Unaware of what had transpired, Rodriguez, a native of Bolivia, developed a phobia of the dark and the “monster”—the silent killer known as Chagas—that she had been told only appears at night.
Chagas disease is a unique sort of illness that is spread by nocturnal insects. It is also known as the “silent and silenced disease” that infects up to 8 million people annually, killing 12,000 people on average.
Emiliana Rodriguez, 42, discovered she had to live with Chagas, a “monster,” after relocating to Barcelona from Bolivia 27 years ago.
“Night is when the fear generally struck. I didn’t always sleep well,” she admitted. “I was worried that I wouldn’t wake up from my sleep.”
Rodriguez had specific tests when she was eight years old and expecting her first child, and the results indicated that she carried the Chagas gene. She recalled the passing of her buddy and remarked, “I was paralyzed with shock and remembered all those stories my relatives told me about people suddenly dying.” “I wondered, ‘What will happen to my baby?’”
Rodriguez was prescribed medicine, though, to prevent the parasite from vertically transmitting to her unborn child. After her daughter was born, she tested negative. Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas, 18, was unaware of the Mexican silent killer until her 18-year-old son was diagnosed with Chagas.
Idalia, an eighteen-year-old blood donor from her birthplace near Veracruz, Mexico, had a positive diagnosis for Chagas, a disease caused by triatomine bugs, often known as vampire or kissing bugs and bloodsucking parasites, when her sample was tested.
In an interview with the Guardian, Hernandez stated, “I started to research Chagas on the internet because I had never heard of it.” When I read that it was a silent murderer, I became really afraid. I had no idea where to go or what to do.
She is not alone in this; a lot of people are ignorant of the diseases that these unpleasant bugs can spread. The term Chagas originates from Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, a Brazilian physician and researcher who made the discovery of the human case in 1909.
Over the past few decades, reports of the incidence of Chagas disease have been made in Europe, Japan, Australia, Latin America, and North America.
Kissing bugs are mostly found in rural or suburban low-income housing walls, where they are most active at night when humans are asleep. The insect bites an animal or person, then excretes on the skin of the victim. The victim may inadvertently scratch the area and sever the skin, or they may spread the excrement into their mouth or eyes. This is how the T. cruzi infection is disseminated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 6 and 7 million people worldwide—roughly 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America—have Chagas disease; the majority of these individuals remain oblivious to their illness. These estimates are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The persistent infection might be fatal if untreated. According to the Guardian, Chagas disease kills over 12,000 people year, “more people in Latin America than any other parasite disease, including malaria.”
Despite the fact that these bugs have been found in the United States—nearly 300,000 people are infected—they are not thought to be endemic.
While some people never experience any symptoms, the CDC notes that 20 to 30 percent experience gastrointestinal or heart problems that can cause excruciating pain decades later.
Furthermore, only 10% of cases are detected globally, which makes prevention and treatment exceedingly challenging.
Hernández and her daughter Idalia went to see a number of doctors in search of assistance, but all were also uninformed about Chagas disease and its management. “I was taken aback, terrified, and depressed because I believed my kid was going to pass away. Above all, Hernandez stated, “I was more anxious because I was unable to locate any trustworthy information.”
Idalia finally got the care she required after receiving assistance from a family member who was employed in the medical field.
“The Mexican government claims that the Chagas disease is under control and that not many people are affected, but that is untrue,” Hernández asserts. Medical practitioners misdiagnose Chagas disease for other heart conditions because they lack knowledge in this area. Most people are unaware that there is Chagas in Mexico.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified chagas as a neglected tropical disease, which means that the global health policy agenda does not include it.
Chagas is overlooked in part because, according to Colin Forsyth, a research manager at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), “it’s a silent disease that stays hidden for so long in your body… because of the asymptomatic nature of the initial part of the infection.”
Forsyth went on to say, “The people affected just don’t have the power to influence healthcare policy,” making reference to the impoverished communities. It’s kept hidden by a convergence of social and biological factors.
Chagas, however, is becoming more well recognized as it spreads to other continents and can also be transferred from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, as well as through organ and blood transfusions.
The main objective of the Chagas Hub, a UK-based facility founded by Professor David Moore, a doctor at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, is to get “more people tested and treated, and to manage the risk of transmission, which in the UK is from mother to child,” according to Professor Moore.
Regarding the WHO’s 2030 aim for the eradication of the disease, Moore stated that progress toward it is “glacial” and added, “I can’t imagine that we’ll be remotely close by 2030.” That seems improbable.
Two medications that have been available for more than 50 years to treat chagas are benznidazole and nifurtimox, which according to Moore are “toxic, unpleasant, not particularly effective.”
Although the medications are effective in curing babies, there is no guarantee that they will prevent or halt the advancement of the condition in adults.
Regarding severe adverse effects, Rodriguez remembers getting dizziness and nausea as well as breaking out in hives. She completed her therapy, and she gets checked out annually.
Moore goes on to say that while creating stronger anti-Chaga drugs is crucial to stopping the disease’s spread, pharmaceutical companies are currently not financially motivated to do so.
As president of the International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas condition (FINDECHAGAS), Hernández is on a mission to raise awareness of the condition until there is a greater need on the market for innovative treatments.
In Spain, Rodriguez is battling the “monster” as part of a campaign to increase public awareness of Chagas disease being conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.
“I’m tired of hearing nothing at all,” Rodriguez declares. “I want Chagas to be discussed and made public. I’m in favor of testing and therapy for individuals.
They are being heard, too.
World Chagas Disease Day was instituted by the WHO on April 14, 1909, the day Carlos discovered the disease’s first human case.The WHO states that “a diversified set of 20 diseases and disease categories are set out to be prevented, controlled, eliminated, and eradicated through global targets for 2030 and milestones.” And among them is Chagas.
To prevent a possible infestation, the CDC suggests taking the following steps:
Close up any gaps and fissures around doors, windows, walls, and roofs.
Clear out the rock, wood, and brush piles close to your home.
Put screens on windows and doors, and fix any tears or holes in them.
Close up gaps and crevices that lead to the exterior, crawl areas beneath the home, and the attic.
Keep pets inside, especially during the evening.
Maintain the cleanliness of your home and any outdoor pet resting places, and check for bugs on a regular basis.
If you believe you have discovered a kissing insect, the CDC recommends avoiding crushing it. Alternatively, carefully put the bug in a jar, fill it with rubbing alcohol, and then freeze it. It is then recommended that you bring the bug’s container to an academic lab or your local health authority so that it can be identified.
Please tell this tale to help spread the word about an illness that goes unnoticed!
Demi Moore, 61, Ditches Her Criticized Long Hair: Fans React to Her New ‘So Flattering’ Sleek Hairdo
Demi Moore, 61, Ditches Her Criticized Long Hair: Fans React to Her New ‘So Flattering’ Sleek Hairdo
Demi Moore showcased a new slicked-back hairdo that hid her long black hair, and fans appreciated seeing her strands out of her face. The actress’ hairstyle almost looked like a mohawk, with a bit of volume at the top and super sleek sides. She wrapped her hair in a tight bun, perfectly complementing her white gown.
Before even noticing her stunning white gown, fans were mesmerized by the new hair look. One commenter expressed their excitement, writing, “Finally that scraggly hair is gone, if even for a moment.”
Another netizen enjoyed Moore’s elegant look, stating, “Love the details on this. It’s fun and elegant. I know we’re used to seeing Demi with her hair down for events, but up is so flattering here. Bravo! 👏”
Although the sleek bun look needed a bit of getting used to for some viewers, they still loved it. “So strange to see you with your hair tied up after all these looks with the long sleek hair down but still gagging ❤️,” wrote one commenter. Another person added, “The hair back for a change is gorgeous.”
Moore’s new hairstyle outshone even the stunning gown she wore. The dress featured a draped neckline with rhinestone details around her shoulders and waist.
She paired the elegant look with silver heels to match the gems and dainty diamond earrings. She also kept her makeup simple to let her hair and dress stand out
The actress’s new slicked-back bun is a trend that has dominated the beauty community over the past decade. This hairstyle has been a top choice among those who favor the “cool girl aesthetic.” It is usually paired with minimal makeup and gives a more polished finish to any look.
Celebrity hairstylist Kathleen Riley praises the style, saying, “To me, it’s a powerful hairstyle. It shows off the face beautifully and is simple yet elegant.”
This hairstyle has become a staple for many people, as it is also universal and works with every hair texture. “It’s quick, easy, requires very little technique, and is a great way to have a low-manipulation protective style,” adds hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos.
However, Demi Moore did not adopt the trendy hairdo until recently, as fans know her for rocking her long black hair. In some instances, internet users have not always loved her hair, especially when styled for red-carpet looks.
For instance, Moore’s recent gown for the Cannes Film Festival was criticized for its unusual design and how her hair was styled with it. This was the actress’ first appearance at the prestigious event in 27 years. She attended “The Substance” premiere in a gorgeous silver mermaid gown.
The gown had an arrowed segment popping straight out on her left side and was styled with silver and diamond earrings and a necklace. The statement dress also featured a neckline that showed a bit of her cleavage.
Demi Moore posed on the red carpet with a smile on her face, showcasing her famous cheekbones. The actress’s photos in this outfit were shared online stirring a heated discussion, primarily centered around her bold fashion choices.
Some comments focused on the gown’s unusual design, including the exaggerated appendage that many fans found puzzling. One critic quipped, “She’s good but what in gods name is that appendage shooting out of her dress.”
Another user wondered why Moore went for that dress remarking, “Demi can poke an eye out with that dress!” Furthermore, an unimpressed fan mocked the dress, noting that its unique design seemed to be saying, “The exit is that way 👉🏻.” Another chimed in bluntly, “Weird dress!”
In addition to her striking gown, Moore’s long hair also drew significant attention, with some fans saying that her hairstyle was too extravagant for her age.
“Her hair is too much,” one person noted, while another concurred, “Yes agreed… 👍 needs to be put up in a bun… not appropriate for her age.” A user who shared similar views wrote, “That hair is weird.”
Another person loved Moore’s look but was also against her hairstyle, saying, “Demi Moore is like Halle Berry in that they both look beautiful and more youthful with short hair, in my opinion her hair is wayyy too long it does not suit her at all 🥰😍.”
Still, the reaction to Moore’s appearance wasn’t solely negative. Several fans defended her look, expressing admiration for her fearless approach to fashion.
“That’s a movie star!!! ⭐️!!!” one admirer declared. Others echoed similar sentiments, calling her “Gorgeous❤️❤️” and “Stunning 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️.”
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