When Claudia Rodríguez discovered she had Chagas disease during her pregnancy, she faced immense fear and uncertainty. Chagas, a parasitic infection transmitted by kissing bugs, can pass from mother to baby, risking severe complications. Fortunately, after undergoing treatment, Rodríguez’s newborn tested negative for the disease. Her relief, however, was tempered by the knowledge that many others aren’t as lucky. In regions like Latin America, where Chagas is endemic, limited awareness and healthcare barriers often delay diagnoses and treatment, putting lives at risk.

A Daughter’s Struggle: Delayed Care and Misdiagnosis
Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas experienced the consequences of poor Chagas awareness firsthand when her 18-year-old daughter was diagnosed. Doctors initially struggled to recognize the disease, leading to dangerous delays in care. Identified over a century ago, Chagas remains widely misunderstood, even in areas where it is prevalent. Spread through the bite of infected kissing bugs, the disease can silently damage the heart and digestive system if left untreated. Hernández has since become a vocal critic of health authorities, accusing them of underreporting cases and failing to properly train medical professionals.