A guide to help battle a potentially fatal disease transferred by a
blood-sucking insect called the kissing bug has been published by a task
force led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
(UTHealth).
While it may not make good bedtime reading, the new image-based guide
from the Texas Chagas Task Force could keep you from falling victim to a
disease caused by a parasite that the kissing bug carries. The parasite
is Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi), and the disease it causes is called
Chagas disease. It is dubbed the silent killer because its symptoms are
so elusive. If caught early, Chagas disease is treatable but if left
undetected and untreated, it can eventually lead to problems such as
heart failure, an enlarged heart or stroke.
"There's still a widespread lack of knowledge about the insects that
carry the parasite and this neglected disease, which often at first
shows no signs whatsoever. Most people aren't even aware of Chagas, let
alone that it exists here in the United States," said Paula
Stigler-Granados, Ph.D., head of the task force and assistant professor
at UTHealth School of Public Health in San Antonio. "We aim to change
that by telling people all about it because early diagnosis and
treatment are absolutely vital to avoid its potentially debilitating,
even deadly, effects."
Stigler-Granados wants everyone to be able to recognize the kissing
bug and know that if they may have been bitten, or have been exposed to
one, they need to tell their doctor and get tested.
"Everyone, especially in Texas, should know what these insects look
like, how to avoid them and what to do if they happen to find one in or
around their homes. It's a complete myth that they are only found in mud
huts. We see them everywhere, including million-dollar homes,"
Stigler-Granados said. "This is an important guide, not only for the
general public but also for physicians and veterinarians who are often
on the frontline of talking with the public about the disease."
The hot summer months are peak season for kissing bug activity in
Texas, she said. Chagas disease is estimated to affect more than 7
million people worldwide. Although most prevalent in Latin America,
kissing bugs and Chagas disease can also be found in the Southern United
States.
Recent research has shown a high rate of kissing bugs infected with
the T.cruzi parasite in Texas, amounting to 64 percent of captured
insects in one study and 60 percent in a military study in the San
Antonio area.
Kissing bugs often bite victims around the mouth or eyes while they
sleep, thus leading to its name. But in reality, kissing bugs can bite
anywhere on the body.
The disease is mainly transmitted through the feces of the insect,
which gets into the bite wound. It can also be passed from mother to
fetus and through contaminated blood products or even contaminated food
or beverages.
Once people are infected, there may be no indication of contracting
the disease for years or even decades. For those who do develop
symptoms, the disease can begin to affect the heart or digestive
systems, at which point it can become potentially fatal.
"This mysterious disease itself does not present with a lot of
symptoms initially, if any at all. You may have a spot or a welt from
the bite, or you experience mild flu-like symptoms," Stigler-Granados
said. "Ultimately Chagas can progress to the chronic symptomatic phase,
which typically manifests itself as heart disease, although
gastrointestinal disease is also possible.
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Around
20 to 30 percent of infected persons will enter the chronic symptomatic
stage of Chagas disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). The majority of sufferers remain undiagnosed until
the chronic symptomatic stage, highlighting the need for greater
awareness and early intervention.
Physicians can prescribe a medication to treat Chagas disease in
adults and children. The CDC can also assist with coordinating treatment
using other drug options.
Facts about the disease, maps and pictures of the multiple species of
kissing bugs found in the Southern United States are featured in the
comprehensive guide. Life-size young and adult insects are shown,
pointing out their distinguishing characteristics. It also identifies
look-alike insects, which don't transmit the parasite, to help people
rule out possible suspects.
"If in doubt, you should take the necessary precautions and submit
the insect for testing, which will not only assist with prevention but
also surveillance of the disease," Stigler-Granados said.
Common kissing bug habitats, such as beneath porches, dog houses and kennels, chicken coops, and rodent nests, are discussed.
Kissing bugs should never be handled with bare hands or crushed, due
to the parasite's presence in its gut. Clear guidance is provided on how
to safely collect a suspected kissing bug and how to send it to be
tested if suspected of biting someone and/or if found inside the home or
if found outside the home.
The guide was funded by a five-year $544,329 cooperative agreement
grant from the CDC to conduct outreach and education on Chagas in Texas.
More than 20 experts who are part of the task force, along with close
collaboration with Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, were involved in its production.
Top tips on how to keep kissing bugs at bay
- Bring pets, such as dogs and cats, inside at night if possible or
keep them in a place where they will not be exposed to insects from the
outdoors. Check their bedding.
- Seal cracks or openings into your home, especially around windows and doors leading outside.
- Elevate woodpiles and keep them away from your home.
- Get rid of pests, such as rodents, living under or near your home in consultation with pest management professionals.
- Remove piles, excess leaves, and animal nests or burrows around your property.
- Keep chimney flues closed when not in use.
Source:
https://www.uth.edu/media/story.htm?id=7ecec551-0b04-4376-b9c0-96c2fb86e33c" rel="nofollow - https://www.uth.edu/media/story.htm?id=7ecec551-0b04-4376-b9c0-96c2fb86e33c
My source and web address for PDF: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20180622/New-guide-published-to-help-battle-fatal-disease-caused-by-kissing-bugs.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://www.news-medical.net/news/20180622/New-guide-published-to-help-battle-fatal-disease-caused-by-kissing-bugs.aspx