{"id":9291,"date":"2019-08-07T06:41:18","date_gmt":"2019-08-07T06:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9291"},"modified":"2021-04-22T15:57:23","modified_gmt":"2021-04-22T15:57:23","slug":"16-universal-signs-of-kissing-bug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-universal-signs-of-kissing-bug\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Universal Signs of Kissing Bug"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The kissing bug is also known as Chagas disease is an infectious disease that affects more than 200,000 people in the US each year. It is not contagious, but it can cause inflammation and infection in different parts of the body, including the heart and intestinal tract. When the kissing bug is present there is a change in the skin. The skin becomes inflamed because of a bite from a bug. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the person is bitten, the infectious disease enters the blood, which could affect the heart. It is a treatable condition, but if it\u2019s left untreated it can cause serious problems, including digestive and heart problems. There are eight universal signs of the kissing bug that you need to be aware of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is an acute and chronic phase. If you are bitten by the bug, you can take steps to get it treated, especially if your skin becomes inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mild fever can occur with the kissing bug. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This can occur during the acute phase. When a fever <\/a>occurs, the best treatment is to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen and rest. You will need to stay home from work or school when you have a fever because even though, it\u2019s mild, it could get worse if you don\u2019t take care of it. Once you get enough rest and take over-the-counter medication, the fever will go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have a fever, it may be a good idea to drink ice water and turn a fan on. This will help to heal the fever. Once you get cold enough, you can turn the fan off. There is no need to put the fan directly onto you. It should be where you can still feel the cool air. You will be able to go back to your normal activities in no time.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Loss of appetite is a sign you have the kissing bug. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People around you will wonder why you\u2019re not eating. Even if you try eating a little bit of food, you may spit it up. When you have a loss of appetite<\/a>, you\u2019ll start losing weight. Even though, you may think this is a good thing, internally you\u2019re harming your body. The body needs the proper nutrients to work to function. You should try eating some broth to get some sort of food into your stomach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking water will help during this time as well because it\u2019ll allow you to stay hydrated. When you have the kissing bug and you\u2019re not eating, you may feel dizzy because you\u2019re not consuming anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good idea to stay home and lie down until your appetite returns. In time your appetite will come back and your weight will increase as well. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is a sign the kissing bug is in your body. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every time you eat or drink something, you\u2019ll feel nauseated or vomit. It\u2019ll be difficult to eat and drink. You\u2019ll start to lose weight and feel bad because you\u2019re not eating or drinking anything. People usually eat crackers when they feel nauseated or vomit. Eat the crackers slowly, so that it won\u2019t come back up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have a kissing bug, diarrhea <\/a>is common. Your stomach will cramp up often, which is a sign you need to make a bowel movement. The bowel movement may be a different color since you have a kissing bug. It may be a greenish color. The color of your bowels will turn back to its normal color once the kissing bug is out of your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for feeling nauseated and vomiting, that will go away as well and your appetite will come back strong.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. The rash is a universal sign that you have a kissing bug. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The rash can be located anywhere on the body. Since the kissing bug flows through the blood, this causes inflammation <\/a>of the skin. The rash can become itchy. When this happens, try not to scratch it. It\u2019ll just become more inflamed. During this time, apply hydrocortisone cream and take Benadryl. This will help with the inflammation and itching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benadryl will cause drowsiness, so take with caution. It might be a good idea to take Benadryl after you complete your daily activities because you\u2019ll want to sleep as soon as you take it. Only take as directed because it can make the rash worse and you\u2019ll feel nauseated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a week or so, the rash should heal itself. During the healing process, the skin will itch also, so don\u2019t scratch it. The rash should never get hot, so don\u2019t use any bandages over it.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Irregular heartbeat occurs during the chronic phase of having the kissing bug. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t happen all of a sudden, but a lot of times it occurs because it was left untreated. The kissing buy can affect the heart and needs to have a medical professional conduct a complete physical examination. It is a cause for concern when the heart <\/a>is not pumping properly. This can lead to death if left untreated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medical professional can tell you what the problem is so that he or she can help treat it. It is not a good idea to do strenuous activities when your heart is not working properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you have a job that causes you to lift on heavy objects, you may need to take some time off for a while. The doctor may suggest quitting the job and getting on disability to help you to bring in some income.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Sudden cardiac arrest is a universal sign that you have the kissing bug. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a serious sign because you may die from it. Cardiac arrest <\/a>can happen at any time. You can be driving, walking, or doing strenuous activity and have a cardiac arrest. When this happens, the only way to get help is in the emergency room. They will perform tests and try to revive you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once they get your heart pumping, you\u2019ll have to stay in the hospital for a while. During this time, they\u2019ll let you know what is really wrong with you, such as having the kissing bug. At the hospital, you will be given a series of medications to help with your heart and the kissing bug. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After leaving the hospital, you\u2019ll be told to not doing any strenuous activities and get plenty of rest. It may take a few weeks before you\u2019re able to do your daily activities again.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Difficulty swallowing occurs when you have the kissing bug because the esophagus is enlarged. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019ll be difficult to eat when this happens. It will take you a long time to swallow food and drink. You\u2019ll need to chew your food completely or eat softer texture foods during this time. A medical professional will need to be sought in order to figure out why you are having a difficult time swallowing. A series of tests will be given, such as lab and blood <\/a>were drawn. The medical professional will diagnose you with having a kissing bug. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other specialists may need to be seen to help with your swallowing issue. They may be able to give you medicines to help you with your enlarged esophagus and swallowing issue. It may or may not go away. It just depends on how severe the person allowed the kissing bug to stay inside of him or her before getting treatment. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Abdominal pain or constipation is a universal sign because of an enlarged colon. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With an enlarged colon, it\u2019ll be difficult to make a bowel movement and you\u2019ll have abdominal pain. It is not good to strain <\/a>to make a bowel movement. It should happen naturally. A few ways to help with constipation is to drink a lot of water, take stool softeners, and eating high-fiber foods, such as beans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to drink eight glasses of water a day. When taking stool softeners, take the amount that is recommended. In a few hours, your stomach will start to cramp, which is a sign you need to make a bowel movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will tell you which stool softener to take. Your doctor may suggest having your colon looked as well. During the test, you won\u2019t feel anything. The doctor will tell you what he or she suggests doing in order to get rid of the enlarged colon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>