Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Although it has a romantic name, the “kissing bug” is anything but since it can spread a deadly parasite when it bites a victim’s lips or face. In Texas, several patients have been diagnosed with the parasite in recent months, and these infections have worried healthcare professionals because the disease has, thus far, been associated with international travel to the tropics.
The Kissing Bug and Chagas Disease
Although it’s routinely called “kissing bug disease,” the actual diagnosis is called Chagas disease, and the symptoms and potential health complications can become life-threatening in some patients. The bugs transmit the disease by leaving behind a parasite on the victim after a bite.
The disease begins much like a bad case of the flu and then gets even worse where victims may develop heart issues or gastrointestinal problems. In rare cases, a victim can die after developing Chagas disease, so its appearance in Texas has worried doctors and families alike.
Incredibly, millions of people in Central and South America may be infected with the disease and not even know it. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention shares:
“It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life threatening.”
Unfortunately, there is no standard treatment for Chagas disease, so if you contract this deadly parasite, your medical center may only have experimental drugs with which to treat the condition. The drugs have the best chance of working when they’re taken very soon after a patient has first become infected.
Preventing Kissing Bug Disease
Although the cases in Texas don’t yet represent a severe outbreak, the presence of the parasite in citizens who have never left the country has made it important for parents to take extra steps to prevent potential infection.
The bite from a kissing bug isn’t painful, and there is no mark left behind, so it’s important to take steps to avoid getting infected, particularly if you have small children who might be impacted severely by the disease.
- Mud & Adobe Houses. Bugs are often found in mud and adobe houses. If you can, avoid sleeping in these types of structures.
- Spraying for Bugs. Using an insect spray to rid your home of bugs will help keep the bugs responsible for Chagas disease from taking up residence in your house.
- Protect Your Skin. You may want to hang mosquito nets up around the beds, as well as wear long sleeve clothing to make it more difficult for bugs to bite.
- Keep the Home Clean. Bugs may congregate in areas that aren’t cleaned regularly. Good hygienic practices, as well as clean food storage, help reduce bug colonies.
- Travel Carefully. Rural areas may have a higher chance of bug infestation, and international travel to the tropics should be handled cautiously, too.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
All Infections Aren’t the Same
Many people don’t show any symptoms that they’re infected, and this is why the CDC says there are so many unreported cases each year. According to Smithsonian Magazine:
“During the first few months after a bite, only mild symptoms crop up, and these are hard to pin on Chagas—fever, fatigue, body aches, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. The most distinctive sign is a swelling of the eyelids on the side of the face that was bitten. But there can be no signs at all.”
Unfortunately young children are at high risk for complications or death about two to three months after infection, so it’s essential to pay attention to mysterious symptoms early, particularly if they match those of Chagas disease.
The expert physicians and health care professionals of Pro-Care Medical Center can help keep your family safe and can help you identify if you or someone you love is suffering from Chagas disease. Make an appointment for yourself or your child as soon as possible if you suspect a kissing bug bite, and consider regular checkups to guard against infections that show no symptoms.
The post How to Protect Your Children from Kissing Bug Disease appeared first on Pro-Care Medical Center.