Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Fall 2014
Document Type
Project
Course Number
NURS 5330
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology
Professor’s Name
John D. Chovan, James R. Cacchillo
Keywords
Parasitic Infections, Case Studies
Subject Categories
Medical Pathology | Nursing | Parasitic Diseases | Public Health and Community Nursing
Abstract
Parasitic infections are a common occurrence worldwide and are often more common in low income countries. While these infections are associated with poor compromised communities outside the United States these diseases effect people within the United States and are more common than realized. One specific parasitic infection infects its human host causing Chagas disease. Chagas disease is an infection that occurs from the parasite T. cruzi and was named for the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas who discovered the disease in 1909 (CDC, 2014). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2014), Chagas disease has been targeted as a priority for public health action, and is considered one of the neglected parasitic infections. The CDC (2014) considers Chagas disease a priority due to its severity, the number of people infected, and the ability to prevent and treat the disease. According to Stampert and Montgomery (2010), there is a substantial knowledge deficit among physicians about Chagas disease. This is concerning when one considers the harmful effects of the disease and the amount of people infected in the United States. Chagas disease can be acquired in the United States as there have been cases of T. cruzi vector borne infections in Mississippi (Canty et. al., 2012).
Recommended Citation
Maynard, Stephen, "Chagas Disease: A Dangerous Kiss" (2014). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 49.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/49
Included in
Medical Pathology Commons, Parasitic Diseases Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons