Chagas disease can cause a sudden, brief illness (acute), or it may be a long-lasting (chronic) condition. Symptoms range from mild to severe, although many people don't experience symptoms until the chronic stage. Acute phase The acute phase of Chagas disease, which lasts for weeks or months, is often symptom-free. When signs and symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and may include:  Swelling at the infection site Fever Fatigue Rash Body aches Eyelid swelling Headache Loss of appetite Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting Swollen glands Enlargement of your liver or spleen  Signs and symptoms that develop during the acute phase usually go away on their own. In some cases, if the infection isn't treated, Chagas disease will advance to the chronic phase. Chronic phase Signs and symptoms of the chronic phase of Chagas disease may occur 10 to 20 years after initial infection, or they may never occur. In severe cases, Chagas disease signs and symptoms may include:  Irregular heartbeat Heart failure Sudden cardiac arrest Difficulty swallowing due to enlarged esophagus Stomach pain or constipation due to enlarged colon 
chagas disease can cause sudden  brief illness (acute)  may long-lasting (chronic) condition  symptoms range mild severe  people don't experience symptoms chronic stage  acute phase acute phase chagas disease  lasts weeks months  symptom-free  signs symptoms occur  mild may include:  swelling infection site fever fatigue rash body aches eyelid swelling headache loss appetite nausea  diarrhea vomiting swollen glands enlargement liver spleen  signs symptoms develop acute phase away own  cases  infection isn't treated  chagas disease will advance chronic phase  chronic phase signs symptoms chronic phase chagas disease may occur 10 20 years initial infection  may occur  severe cases  chagas disease signs symptoms may include:  irregular heartbeat heart failure sudden cardiac arrest difficulty swallowing due enlarged esophagus stomach pain constipation due enlarged colon 
chagas disease