The Silent Threat in Your Backyard: Understanding Kissing Bug Disease
Kissing bugs are small, dark-colored insects about the size of a penny. These blood-sucking pests get their name because they often bite people around the mouth and eyes while they sleep.
Unlike mosquitoes that buzz around, kissing bugs are silent hunters that come out at night. They live throughout the southern United States, Central America, and South America.
These bugs hide in cracks of houses, under porches, in chicken coops, and around pet sleeping areas during the day.
Kissing bugs can spread a serious illness called Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis. The disease comes from a tiny parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi that lives in the bug's stomach.
When a kissing bug bites someone, it often poops near the bite wound. If a person scratches the bite and gets the bug's waste into the wound, their eyes, or mouth, they can become infected with the parasite.
Chagas disease happens in two stages. The first stage might cause fever, swelling around the bite, tiredness, and body aches. Many people don't notice these symptoms or think they have the flu.
The second stage can be much more dangerous and may not show up for years or even decades. During this stage, the parasite can damage the heart and digestive system, leading to serious health problems that can be life-threatening.
Early signs of Chagas disease include a swollen, red bump where the bug bit you. If the bite was near your eye, that eyelid might swell up significantly. Other symptoms include fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, and feeling very tired.
Later symptoms can include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, trouble swallowing, and stomach problems. If you think you've been bitten by a kissing bug, it's important to see a doctor right away.
You can protect yourself and your family by making your home less attractive to kissing bugs. Seal cracks around windows, doors, and walls. Remove piles of wood, rocks, or other materials where bugs might hide near your house.
Keep outdoor lights off when possible, as these insects are drawn to light. Make sure window screens fit tightly and don't have holes. Clean up pet food and water dishes at night, and consider moving pet sleeping areas away from your bedroom.
Chagas disease affects millions of people worldwide, and cases in the United States are increasing. While there is treatment available, it works best when caught early.
Learning about kissing bugs and taking steps to prevent them from entering your home is the best way to protect yourself.
If you live in an area where these bugs are common, talk to your doctor about getting tested, especially if you remember being bitten by an insect that matches their description.
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