Science Friday ‘The Kissing Bug’ And The Story Of A Neglected Disease
Jan 9, 2026
In this captivating discussion, journalist Daisy Hernández shares her powerful personal journey related to Chagas disease, a condition many have never heard of. Growing up with her aunt Dora, whose illness was initially mistaken for bad apples, Daisy reveals the haunting realities of living with a neglected tropical disease. She highlights how stigma and lack of resources obscure Chagas, particularly in the U.S., while emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and proper care for affected communities.
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Family Mystery Sparks Investigation
- Daisy Hernández grew up believing her aunt fell ill from a bad apple until learning it was Chagas disease later in life.
- That family mystery and long caregiving shaped her motivation to research and write The Kissing Bug.
Aunt Dora's Symptoms And Struggles
- Aunt Dora was a vibrant aspiring schoolteacher who developed severe stomach pains and abdominal swelling from Chagas.
- Her symptoms progressed to fevers and hallucinations, prompting emergency care as her family scrambled for answers.
Transmission And Silent Acute Stage
- Chagas is transmitted by triatomine insects but infection occurs via their feces, not the bite itself.
- The acute stage has vague flu-like symptoms, often missed, allowing chronic infection to develop where treatment is harder.
