What diseases do cockroaches transmit to humans

Cockroaches are not only unpleasant for most people, but also are the means of contagion of multiple conditions and disorders, some of them very serious. Faced with this situation, seek cleaning and pest control regularly in our homes and work environments is part of the measures to prevent these animals from spreading.

If you want to know what diseases transmit cockroaches to humans, we explain it below in order to consider all the measures at your disposal to prevent the spread of these insects.

How cockroaches transmit diseases

Cockroaches have been related to dirt and therefore, health disorders that may be caused by lack of cleanliness. The reality is much wider than this, since there is a whole set of conditions that make possible the spread of diseases to humans.

In the first place, there are some 3500 species of cockroaches, but the great majority live far from the urban centers, in the open air. However, there are synanthropic species (adapted to the conditions of human life in populated centers) that require dark and warm places to live and reproduce, as well as temporarily dry water channels. That is why it is common to find them in radiators of refrigerators, drains or sewers.

When an insect of this type has contact with food, it leaves traces of its saliva, which contains bacteria that are one of the sources of diseases, but not the only one. Cockroaches can also excrete viruses because their intestines can harbor other bacteria that cause serious disorders. Direct contact with insects can cause allergic reactions that can manifest themselves on the skin or as diseases of the respiratory tract, as happens with the aspiration of dust particles containing allergens from these insects.

So, while extreme hygiene in the home is important, the reality is that the mere presence of a single specimen is enough to cause disease, since there are several routes of infection : ingesting a food contaminated by this, by aspiration of allergens or by contact. This should not be a reason for discouragement in terms of housekeeping, but rather to be even more cautious. A single cockroach should already be cause for alarm.

Bubonic plague

Among the diseases that cockroaches transmit to humans is bubonic plague . It is a life-threatening disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Although this condition is associated with rats (since it spreads through its fleas), the truth is that it can also be transmitted to humans by any other infected animal, such as cockroaches. Once a human has the disease, it can infect others through the saliva expelled by the characteristic cough it generates. Other characteristic symptoms of this disease are:

  • Swelling of the lymph nodes
  • Pain in the lymph nodes
  • Cough strong
  • Fever
  • Shaking chills
  • Headache
  • General discomfort
  • Muscle pain

Dysentery

A set of intestinal disorders caused by an infection is called dysentery. This disease is usually contracted by the consumption of contaminated food, although it is also associated with the absence of hygienic measures. There are two types of dysentery :

  • Bacilar: produced by the Shigella bacteria, which enters through the mouth and reproduces in the intestine. It is characterized by a severe and watery diarrhea that can last from a few days to a week.
  • Amebic: occurs when an infected person does not have proper hygiene, especially after going to the bathroom, which can contaminate other people. It also causes diarrhea, but in this case there may be blood and pain when evacuating.

Discover in this other article How to recover from dysentery.

Typhoid fever

Another disease that transmits these insects to people is typhoid fever. This condition is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi found in contaminated food. Once in the intestine enters the bloodstream and from there to the lymph nodes, the gallbladder, liver and spleen, among others. Some of the symptoms of typhoid fever include:

  • Pink spots on the abdomen and chest
  • Fever above 39 degrees
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion
  • Humor changes
  • Nasal bleeding
  • Bloody stools

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the virus of the same name (also known as HAV). It is caused by contact with the stool of another patient, lack of hygienic measures or consumption of food contaminated by flies or cockroaches. These are some of the characteristic symptoms of hepatitis A:

  • Jaundice
  • Dark colored urine
  • Sickness
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Itch
  • Pale stools
  • Fever

Stomach flu

One of the most common diseases that transmit these insects to humans is gastroenteritis . It is an inflammation of the intestinal membrane, caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites found in contaminated food or beverages. Among the warning signs are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Fever
  • Shaking chills
  • Headache

Leprosy

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, one of the multiple microorganisms that transmit cockroaches to humans. The bacteria spread through the air, when a healthy person inhales droplets of saliva from sneezing or coughing of a sick person. Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Skin lesions that are hard to heal
  • Absence of sensitivity in the extremities
  • Muscular weakness

Home remedies to eliminate cockroaches

The basic hygiene and hygiene measures are the starting point to avoid the proliferation of cockroaches in the home. But there are also home remedies that can be applied to prevent or eliminate them.

  • Bay leaves: this plant exudes an odor that is toxic to cockroaches. That is why it is used as a natural insecticide by putting chopped leaves in the corners of the house or in places where they are suspected of living or reproducing.
  • Bicarbonate and sugar: mix both ingredients equally and apply this mixture behind and under the furniture, in the corners, as well as in dark and warm places. Sugar attracts cockroaches, but bicarbonate releases gases that are harmful to them.
  • Boric acid: is used to spread the dust through the areas of the house that are susceptible to cockroaches. This ingredient acts as a poison for this type of insects.

Before applying any of these remedies, you must ensure that none of them are available to pets or children. Similarly, avoid coming in contact with food.

Discover in this other article more home remedies to kill cockroaches.