Chagas disease, which is otherwise known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite.

It is commonly referred to as the "silent illness" or the "sleeping sickness," because once infected a person can carry the parasite for decades before serious symptoms develop.

For years, many communities have been plagued by Chagas disease because not enough has been done to develop proper diagnostic tactics or treatments.

Check out this gallery to learn all about Chagas disease.