Week 4 - Plataforma de Chagas

I spent my fourth week working in a clinic for Chagas Disease.

Chagas is a tropical disease caused by the parasite T. Cruzi, usually carried by the vinchuca bug. This bug lives in many natural environments but has also been found in many homes in the farming regions of Bolivia. The disease is found in all of Bolivia, as well as Argentina, Peru, chile, and many other South American countries. It has also recently been encountered in the United States and Spain.
There is a cure for the disease, but because it can go up to twenty years without displaying any symptoms, many people do not know they have it or do not want to seek treatment.

In the platform, I worked in the diagnostic laboratory, in the consultation of Dr. Rodriguez, and with the nurses. At the end of the week I had an exam on Chagas to make sure I had learned as much as possible while I was working there.


In the laboratory I learned amount the different methods for diagnosing Chagas, as well as got a chance to see how incredibly common the disease is.

Working with Dr. Rodriguez, I got to see both the clinical treatment of Chagas, but also the diversity in the patient population.
Professionals, farmers, children, adults-- anyone with potential exposure to the bug, an infected blood donation, or birth from an infected mother was susceptible to the disease. A disease that a speculated 7/10 have.
I learned about the roughly 2 month treatment. I learned about the severe complications in the heart, digestive, or nervous system the disease can lead to. And I learned about how public health and clinical work can often cross paths.

With the nurses, the main thing I learned was about control of the spread of the disease via the bug. They were responsible for sending out pest control teams to anyone with a current bug infestation and for ordering a neighborhood scan.


Overall, my week working in the Plataforma de Chagas was very interesting and a great way to wrap up my month in Tarija.