This study, carried out in two cities in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aims at getting to know how people with chronic Chagas disease live, in order to draw possible nursing actions towards a healthier life. The study had a descriptive and exploratory character with a qualitative approach. Data were collected in the homes of ten Chagas disease chronic carriers by means of a semi-structured interview. The results showed that the sickness symptomatology did not appear in the acute phase of the disease; it also showed that most of the carriers make use of palliative medication to alleviate symptoms. There are great limitations to their performing daily chores, especially for heart-affected carriers. The support of the health team, especially the nurse's, is invaluable to the clinical management of the patient, once when it is started in the early stages of the disease, a better quality of life and a longer life expectancy can be reached.
Chagas disease; Delivery of health care; Public health; Life style; Community health nursing