The insects live in the floors and walls of low-income housing. Infected feces of the triatomid gets in the body through the eyes, mouth, open cuts, or in uncooked food. Infected blood transfusions also spread the disease. Most people don't have symptoms until 10 to 20 years after being infected. Children and the elderly are prone to acute illnesses directly following infection, including high fever, swollen lymph glands and enlarged liver, heart and spleen.
Medication is usually effective only during the acute stage of infection.
There is no vaccine nor preventative drug. Avoid sleeping in thatch, mud or adobe houses. Despite the widespread distribution of Chagas' disease and the contamination of the blood supply, many people still don't understand the nature of the illness or the severity of the problem. If the researchers are to get the help and resources they need to track the disease in Ecuador, they need the support of the people here. They also need the assistance of Ecuadorean government and educational leaders.