As it is, those bites from household pests such as mosquitoes and bedbugs are bad enough with all those skin irritations, swelling, and the uncontrollable itchiness. But worse than this, these pests, which may come in different types, may cause diseases that can be very serious and dangerous. In fact, one of the worst epidemics that hit mankind was the bubonic plague that killed an estimated 200 million people and which was believed to be caused by bacteria present in rats. To give you an idea, here is a list of diseases that may be caused by household pests.
Lyme Disease
This very common inflammatory disease is caused by the bites of ticks. This condition can be very serious and requires medical attention. Symptoms of Lyme disease may start with lesions in the skin along with fever, chills, and general feeling of fatigue. If not treated immediately, this may worsen resulting to cardiac and neurological diseases and joint pains that may include arthritis.
Salmonellosis
Food that may be contaminated with the feces of rats or mice may result to a medical condition called Salmonellosis. A person who is infected with these bacteria may complain of gastroenteritis, a severe condition that affects the gastrointestinal system. Complications may be experienced in the form of meningitis, endocarditis, and septicaemia, all very fatal disorders.
Tulaemia
While the tularemia may be associated with rodents, this infectious disease may also be caused by bites of different insects as well as contact with animals that have been infected with the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Indications of the condition are fever that may come and go and an inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Leptospirosis
Also known as Weil’s disease, leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that is caused by the contact with the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents. Initial symptoms may manifest in the form of fever, body pains, and jaundice, a condition where the skin appears to have the yellow color.
Rickettsial Pox
Those infected with Rickettsial pox will develop a rash in the body much like that of the chicken pox. This condition is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia akari and is spread by mites. The disease may start at the location of the mite bite with the appearance of red lump that may be painless and firm at the start and will later on get worse. Other symptoms of this condition include fever and chills, muscle pains, sweating, and discomfort when exposed to bright lights.
