New Delhi: Bedbugs are as bothersome as they can get. But as it turns out, these little creatures can do more harm than previously known. Earlier, they were seen as innocent intruders that do not infect humans. However, according to research, bedbugs are more than capable of transmitting diseases. This could mean that infections can thrive in the body of a bedbug and they even harbour several viruses. Furthermore, researchers found pathogens like Hepatitis C, MRSA, and Bartonella quintana in bedbugs. This also means that bedbugs are capable of transmitting the pathogen. In the study which was published in January, it was noted that bedbugs can contract and also transmit MRSA while feeding.
Scientists also confirmed that the insect could be a disease vector in the 19th century. Researchers also noted that bedbugs can also be dangerous and when scientists infected them with microbes and injected under a monkey’s skin, they looked like an STI sampled from a West African brothel. With not much real-world evidence of human disease transmission, eventually, researchers deemed bedbugs harmless. However, a team of experts at the University of Pennsylvania led a study in 2014 and noted that the fecal matter of bugs could transmit diseases through mouse skin punctured by a bite or a needle.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Shitij Goel, HOD, Dermatology, Shardacare-Health City, also commented on the bedbugs research, validating the findings.
“Bedbugs, though tiny, can cause significant physical and psychological distress. These nocturnal pests feed on human blood, leaving behind itchy, red welts and sometimes triggering allergic reactions. The intense itching can lead to scratching, which increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections, such as impetigo or cellulitis. In some patients, particularly those with sensitive skin or pre-existing conditions like eczema, bedbug bites can exacerbate underlying inflammation, causing more severe reactions. Hypersensitivity to the bites may manifest as large, swollen lesions resembling hives, known as bullous reactions,” said Dr Goel.
“Beyond the physical discomfort, their presence often induces anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress, particularly in those who develop a fear of infestation. Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate due to their rapid reproduction and ability to hide in tiny crevices. They can hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and furniture, spreading infestations quickly in homes, hotels, and public spaces. Bedbugs present not only a nuisance but also a potential public health concern. These parasites feed exclusively on blood, often leaving behind clusters of itchy, inflamed bites that can lead to secondary infections if scratched excessively. In hypersensitive individuals, bedbug bites may trigger severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, requiring immediate medical attention,” the expert concluded.
Bedbugs present not only a nuisance but also a potential public health concern. These parasites feed exclusively on blood, often leaving behind clusters of itchy, inflamed bites that can lead to secondary infections if scratched excessively. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
