CHAGAS DISEASE
(Kissing Bug)
Chagas Disease is caused by the bite of the Triatoma bedbug, commonly known as a kissing or assassin bug, as it often bites the face. The human, when bitten by the bedbug scratches the affected area and introduces the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi into his body, developing the condition. The disease can be mild, causing swelling and fever, or it can be long lasting. Left untreated, it can cause congestive heart failure.
When the kissing bug has bitten someone or suspected, it is recommended they go to the nearest health unit, and take the insect if you can. There the patient will be sampled to confirm the presence of the parasite and treatment started. When capturing the insect, never crush it. Always use gloves or pick it up with tweezers. Never have direct contact it. Place it in a plastic or glass container with a lid with small holes for ventilation. Clean your house with commercial chlorine, and wash your hands and any object that has been it contact with the bug.
Symptoms
Itching (welt where the parasite entered)
Inflammation of the eyelid
Fever
In severe cases, inflammation of internal organs such as the esophagus and heart.
The patient can spend a period of 5 to 15 years without having had symptoms.
Treatment
Focuses on taking medication that kills the parasite and on managing symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, the treatment consists of taking a drug in tablets that must be supplied for a minimum period of 60 days under comprehensive medical monitoring and laboratory tests. These treatments can cure it completely.
Characteristics of the kissing bug
The bug varies in size from small to medium similar to cockroaches.
Of nocturnal habits (wanders at night).
Brown in color.
Is hematophagous (feeds on blood).
Their feces are those that contain the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
It is often confused with another bedbug that is tree bug.
Prevention
Sanitation of the home, inside and outside to eliminate disused objects.
Improvement of housing, plaster, painting, avoid cracks.
The Kissing Bug is present throughout Jalisco given the geographical, climatological and ecological conditions, with greater incidence in rural or suburban areas. In 2020, the people most affected by the bite range in age range from 25 to 44 years, both men and women; Tepatitlán (North-East of Guadalajara) being the municipality where more cases have been reported. Past years cases 2016-90, 2017-59, 2018-70, 2019-57, 2020-11 (first quarter).
Source
Results of the State Laboratory of Public Health
Single Epidemiological Surveillance System (SUIVE) https://ssj.jalisco.gob.mx/