Is Chagas disease common in Texas?
From the years 2013-2016, 91 cases of Chagas disease were reported in Texas. Of those cases, 20 people were infected while in Texas, and the other cases were probably acquired outside of Texas or the U.S. While there are not very many cases, many people may be living with the disease and not know it.
Is the kissing bug in Texas?
Texas has seven species of kissing bugs. On average, they vary in diameter from the size of a penny to a quarter, with dark backs that sometime are orange- or fringed in red. They look similar to a stinkbug, but with a distinctive pointed snout.
Is rhodnius Prolixus a kissing bug?
Rhodnius prolixus is also known as the kissing bug because it tends to feed on the area around victims’ mouths.
Where is Chagas disease most common?
People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
How do you know if a kissing bug bite you?
Bite Marks Kissing bugs are so named because they like to bite around the mouth or eyes. You’ll often see 2-15 bite marks in one area and maybe redness and swelling. It might be hard to tell them apart from other bug bites, minor skin irritations, or infections.
What is Chagas disease do to you?
Also called American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease can infect anyone. Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems. During the acute phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease focuses on killing the parasite.
What should you do if you get bit by an assassin bug?
Persons who are bitten should wash and apply antiseptic to the site of the bite. Oral analgesics, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may be useful to reduce the pain. Treatment by a physician is not usually needed, though Caladryl® or topical corticosteroids may help reduce swelling or itching at the site of the bite.
How do you know if you got bit by a kissing bug?
How do you test for Chagas?
During the acute phase of infection, parasites may be seen circulating in the blood. The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.
Can Chagas go away on its own?
Signs and symptoms that develop during the acute phase usually go away on their own. In some cases, if the infection isn’t treated, Chagas disease will advance to the chronic phase.