Kissing Bugs and Chagas Disease: A Hidden
A Lesser-Known Summer Threat
Summer pests like ticks and mosquitoes are familiar, but another insect is rising: the kissing bug.
These nocturnal blood-feeders often bite unnoticed since “their saliva contains a numbing agent.”
Drawn to carbon dioxide, they target the face, leaving clusters of bites.
Health Risks
The main danger is not the bite but Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
Infection happens when “contaminated feces enter the body through wounds or mucous membranes.”
The disease has two stages: acute (flu-like symptoms or swelling near the eye) and chronic,
which can later damage the heart or digestive system.
Treatment
Early treatment with nifurtimox or benznidazole is effective, but “there is no cure for chronic Chagas disease.”
Prevention
Protect your home by sealing cracks, fixing screens, reducing outdoor lights, and clearing brush.
If a bug appears, don’t crush it — capture it safely and disinfect the area.
