ABSTRACT
This study, carried out in two cities in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aims to get understand how people with chronic Chagas disease live in order to draw possible nursing actions towards a healthier life. The study has a descriptive and exploratory character with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-sctructured interviews carried out with ten Chagas disease chronic carriers at their houses. 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 valuable to the clinical management of the patient. When it is started in the early stages of the disease, a better quality of life and a longer life expectancy can be reached.
