CDC/ Dr. Mae Melvin
This child from Panama is suffering from Chagas disease manifested as an acute infection with swelling of the right eye, known as Romaña's sign.
- Chagas disease can be acute or chronic and if not treated, lasts for the lifetime of the patient
- If acute, patient experiences symptoms soon after being bitten
- Swelling around the bite and fever
- Anorexia
- Lymphadenopathy
- Mild hepatosplenomegaly
- Rare cases have an inflammatory reaction around the meninges, brain, or heart
- Infants and children may die from this
- Romana's sign is unilateral painless periorbital swelling
- Most acute infections resolve over 2-3 months into the chronic stage
