If You Find a Kissing Bug In Your Home See a Doctor Immediately
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about the latest health scare. If you find a Tritomine, also called the Kissing Bug, see your doctor right away.
The deadly bug will seem friendly, but what is transmits is anything but friendly Trypanosoma cruzi is an extremely deadly parasite if it enters the body, which can be spread by getting "kissed" by a Tritomine. Technically, it's not their bite that spreads the parasite. Their feces is what spreads the Chagas disease, but like most bugs, they will poop on you as they're eating. They are nocturnal and will feast at night, which is why it's important to see a doctor if you see one of these bugs or start to experience symptoms.
Chagas disease can lead to death. Symptoms can take months to appear and are very flu-like, such as fever, headaches, enlarged lymph pain, muscle pain, and making it harder to breathe. This is why it is extra important to see a doctor if you find a Kissing Bug in your home, just to be safe. Not all Kissing Bugs carry the parasite.
The CDC shared these tips on how to keep the bugs away from your home.
- Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, walls, roofs, and doors
- Removing wood, brush, and rock piles near your house
- Using screens on doors and windows and repairing any holes or tears
- If possible, making sure yard lights are not close to your house (lights can attract the bugs)
- Sealing holes and cracks leading to the attic, crawl spaces below the house, and to the outside
- Having pets sleep indoors, especially at night
- Keeping your house and any outdoor pet resting areas clean, in addition to periodically checking both areas for the presence of bugs