Health Risks of Bed Bugs

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Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs can cause a number of health effects including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. They are able to be infected by at least 28 human pathogens, but no study has clearly found that the insect is able to transmit the pathogens to a human being.

Bed Bug Bites Photo- Cimax Lectularius

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites, called cimicosis, may lead to a range of skin manifestations from no visible effects to prominent blisters. Diagnosis involves both finding bed bugs and the occurrence of compatible symptoms. Treatment involves the elimination of the insect but is otherwise symptomatic.

Bed bugs have been found to carry methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a drug resistant strain of the staph virus. Bed bugs have also been found with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE), but the significance of this is still unknown.

Research on the public health effects of bed bugs has been very limited over the past several decades, largely due to the noted decline in bed bug populations in the latter half of the 20th century. Now that bed bug populations are rapidly increasing, additional research is needed to determine the reasons for the resurgence, the potential for bed bugs to transmit disease, and their impact on public health.

Portions of content provided by:

Entomologist Paul J. Bello, PJB Pest Management Consulting, LLC. - Author of "The Bed Bug Combat Manual"

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