Triatom killer bug

Triatom bug

Triatom bug bites

Carlus Chagas

Bite symptoms

 

 

 

 

Triatom bugs - the most dangerous representatives of all types of bugs. Contact with this insect can cause death. Due to the peculiarities of a bite, it is called a “gentle killer” or a kiss bug. The inhabitants of Russia do not face personal acquaintance with the triatom bug, except at the exhibition of exotic insects in Moscow or while traveling around the countries of South America.

Biological features of the insect

The killer bug is found in South America, mainly in Argentina, Mexico and the southern states of the USA. In the subfamily of triatomic bugs, there are about 130 species. Most of them prefer the natural environment and live in trees, rodent burrows, bird nests, but some species like to settle nearby residential, farm buildings. The insect has an elongated body 20 mm long of a dark inconspicuous color, a cone-shaped head and wings, which it uses if necessary (see photo).

The killer bug is distinguished by a more elongated mouth apparatus and limbs compared to bed bug. Despite its large size, it absorbs half as much blood as its bloodthirsty "home" relative. In the warm season, the female killer bug lays eggs, from which a wingless nymph hatches, which, after 4 molts, turns into a full-grown adult.

In all periods of life, including the stages of maturation, triatomic bugs feed on blood. They begin their parasitic hunt after sunset. Possessing a good sense of smell, they easily find their prey, be it a person or a small animal. They are not able to pierce thick skin, so killer bugs try to "kiss" the thin skin around the eyes, eyelids, mucous membranes in the lips, for which they received the popular name kiss bugs.

During the bite, the bug introduces an anesthetic and while the feast lasts, the person does not feel anything. To fully get enough, a triatomous bug needs 15-25 minutes and all this time his victim will sleep peacefully.

What is the danger of a kiss bug

It is no coincidence that the killer bug has earned a reputation as the most dangerous insect; it is a carrier of the deadly disease of Chagas - the American trypanosomiasis. During feeding, a kiss bug is infected from sick animals or humans by tripomastigots, which then actively multiply in the digestive system of the parasite and are converted into trypanosomes. Flagellate harmful microorganisms can live in the body of the bug for about 2 years, excreted with feces of the insect. Trypanosomes in the intestines of the triatomic bug were detected by the Brazilian physician Carlus Chagas, who also described the disease caused by trypanosomes.

Important!

By itself, the bite of a triatomic bug is not dangerous, excrement is a threat to life. The process of bloodsucking is most often accompanied by feces, in which, with a 50% probability, intracellular trypanosome parasites are contained. After the killer bug has finished the meal, a person in a dream begins reflexively combing the affected area, as a result of which the bedbug droppings enter the body, which is a fertile environment for trypanas, and they begin to multiply rapidly.Feces can enter the body not only through damaged areas of the skin, but also the conjunctiva of the eyes, food.

To protect yourself from the bites of triatomous bugs, you should observe safety precautions when traveling around the countries of South America:

• sleep under a canopy from a mosquito net;
• to avoid visits to areas replete with dilapidated houses, clay buildings;
• in case of a bite, do not comb the damaged area and treat it with an antiseptic, disinfectant.

Symptoms of Chagas disease

Chagas disease is a parasitic disease, the vaccine for which does not exist, and according to pundits in the near future is not expected. According to World Health Organization estimates, 7-8 million people are infected in Mexico and Argentina. According to other sources, twice as many people suffer from this disease, since not everyone knows that they are infected, and large-scale population migrations do not make it possible to fully assess the situation. About 50,000 people die from Chagas disease each year. Very often, people are unaware of infection and are treated for heart failure. Causes of infection:

• bites of kissing bugs;
• food on which the kissed bug left its feces;
• blood transfusion and donor organs;
• infection of the fetus during pregnancy.

The incubation period ranges from 5 to 14 days and passes in most cases asymptomatically. Possible manifestations of infection:

• At the site of the introduction of flagellar parasites, edema, a blister may appear, resembling a boil in appearance, but without pus.
• Fever up to 40 °, fever, chills.

Then comes the acute stage, the duration of which is from 1 to 3 months. During this period, the blood is saturated with parasites, which is most often confirmed by laboratory tests and allows you to diagnose an ailment. Symptoms of the acute stage of Chagas disease:

• swelling and cramping in the abdomen, chest;
• cardiopalmus;
• dyspnea;
• weakness;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• headache and muscle pain.

Important!

In 70-80% of cases, the acute stage proceeds latently, without obvious clinical manifestations. Then the disease becomes chronic with the progression of heart failure, which ultimately leads to death.

The prognosis of Chagas disease depends on timely diagnosis. It is almost impossible to achieve a full recovery, but if the disease is detected at an early stage, the likelihood of a fatal outcome is significantly reduced and the chance of extending life for 10-20 years increases. If you suspect that you were bitten by a bug killer, you must immediately contact a medical institution. Only timely diagnosis will help to cope with an insidious disease.