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Do cockroaches spread diseases?
Do cockroaches spread diseases?
Cockroaches are not the cleanest insects out there. They are carriers of various bacteria and viruses which can transmit to you if you are not careful. You cannot get infected directly through a bite but by consuming any food that is contaminated by the cockroaches. Cockroaches can spread a wide array of diseases and some of them are mentioned below.
1. Salmonellosis
2. Cholera
3. Typhoid Fever
4. Leprosy
The details regarding these diseases are described below.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a disease that is often associated with rodents; however, it can also be caused by cockroaches. The effect of salmonellosis is similar to that of food poisoning. Cockroaches themselves get infected by this bacterium when they consume food laced with salmonellosis. This stays in their digestive system for over a month which then eventually passes out through the cockroach’s droppings or its vomit. When a human comes in contact with any of this, the symptoms start to show after 12-72 hours. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, stomachache, and vomiting. People usually start getting better themselves in 4-7 days. Usually, no specific treatment is needed except for excessive fluids.
Cholera
The bacteria that cause this disease is the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. This disease is most common in countries that are underdeveloped or are developing and lack basic sanitation. With inadequate health conditions, this bacterium can spread quite quickly. The transmission of this bacterium happens through contaminated food and water as well as the feces and vomit of cockroaches. Almost 30,000-140,000 people die each year because of cholera. The symptoms of this disease are rarely apparent. 8 in 10 people do not develop any symptoms at all while the 2 in 10 people who do, the symptoms are mild to moderate. Rare symptoms include watery diarrhea. The infection is present in the urine and feces of humans for a week to a week and a half.
Typhoid Fever
The reason behind typhoid fever is the Salmonella typhi bacterium. This bacterium is infectious. It is believed that cockroaches get infected by this particular bacterium when they consume feces that contain salmonella typhi bacterium. Typhoid fever is most common in places where sanitation practices are poor and there is not much access to clean water. People with weak immune systems are most likely to get affected. There are various symptoms of typhoid fever and some of them are listed below.
1. High body temperature
2. Stomachache
3. Tiredness and fatigue
4. Constipation
5. Diarrhea
6. Body ache
7. Muscle ache
If you notice any of the above symptoms for some time, you should see a doctor immediately. With the right medication and treatment, this fever can go away in a couple of days. If it is left untreated for a prolonged time it can cause many complications.
Leprosy
This disease is caused by bacillus mycobacterium leprae. Cockroaches are not the only insects that can cause this disease as it can easily spread through other animals too. Just like many other diseases, leprosy is spread through the feces as well. The bacteria are not at all highly infectious yet if it does not receive medical attention quickly, it can cause a lot of damage to the skin, eyes, and nerves. This can also lead to deformities and even disfigurement. Leprosy can be incubated for 5 years and the signs of this disease can show after 2 decades as well. It can only be treated via MDT-Multidrug Therapy. Cockroaches can also cause certain allergies which may include triggering asthma. The best thing you can do to avoid all of this is by practicing proper cleaning and sanitation. Also, seal all possible gaps and keep a lid on all food items to avoid any contamination.
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