Image 1 of 5

Chagas

( Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times / July 7, 2012 )

Maira Gutierrez, who was born in El Salvador, has Chagas' disease, a little-diagnosed illness caused by a parasite. Two-thirds of those affected never develop complications. But for about 30%, it can cause serious illness, often silently ravaging the heart muscle.

Chagas

Local & National Video

Don't Miss ...