When some people hear the term “Kissing Bug” they probably picture an adorable bug that is as sweet as it sounds. However, these bugs are not only a nuisance, they also are deadly. The bad news for Floridians is that these often deadly kissing bugs are heading our way and we need to be on alert in order to take the necessary precautions to keep our families safe. Check it out…

The Kissing Bug in Florida is not as adorable as it sounds—in fact, these nocturnal, bloodsucking parasites can carry an infectious disease that can be quite deadly.
Flickr José Pablo Orozco Marín
The Kissing Bug, also called the triatomine bug, can spread an infectious inflammatory disease known as Chagas disease after biting people in the face.
Dozens of states within the country, including The Sunshine State, have confirmed that the Kissing Bug has been spotted and are taking the necessary precautions.
CDC.com
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the bug to be popping up in various states that it normally is not found in, and the disease being passed down can be deadly if not treated.
Chagas disease must be treated immediately—if left untreated the infection not only turns into a lifelong issue, but it also can be life-threatening.
Flickr Linda Tanner
Symptoms which arise from Chagas disease include aches, a rash, swelling at the site of the bite, fatigue, fever, and more.

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But in more serious cases, Chagas disease can lead to heart failure or even a stroke.
Flickr Jeff Ro
Chagas disease is especially deadly for babies and for people who have immune deficiencies, as well as for pets, too.
While Chagas disease is not carried by every single Kissing Bug, the disease can often be spread when a bug defecates on or near a person, as the parasite can be transmitted through the bug’s feces.
Flickr José Pablo Orozco Marín
Kissing Bugs are known to hide in cracks and are most active at night—they also are often seen near dog kennels, by outdoor sheds, underneath wooden decks, and hiding inside wood piles.
Protect yourself by eliminating lights within your yard at night, don't allow outdoor pets to sleep indoors without a bath first, use screens on windows when open, and keep your home and pet areas clean.
Flickr Anita Gould
Also, if you see a Kissing Bug in your neighborhood, put it in a jar or container and take it to your local health department for identification, then thoroughly clean the area where you found it.

For more information about Chagas disease, and the Kissing Bug, visit the CDC website here. So what do you think about these deadly bugs? Have you seen them before? Share with us your experiences in the comments section!

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