The liver may become enlarged. About 1 out of 10 infected people die during the acute phase. The disease goes into remission after the acute phase and may become chronic with no further symptoms for many years. Patients may develop congestive heart failure . Swallowing difficulties may be the first symptom of digestive disturbances and may lead to malnutrition .
Death is usually from heart disease .
No specific therapy is presently available. Experimental treatment may include nifurtimox. Approximately 1 out of 5 infected people will develop chronic symptomatic Chagas disease.