‘Kissing Bug’ Can Lead to Dangerous Parasite Infection While You Sleep
The CDC is warning that a type of bug, potentially carrying a deadly disease is mainly found in rural Central and South America, but some experts are concerned that cases are beginning to rise in southern U.S. states. Infections have been reported in Arkansas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas.  The Kissing Bug, or triatomine bug, typically feed on the blood of mammals, including humans and pets, biting them in the lip or eye area.
Once in the body, the parasite can remain hidden for years, or even decades. It can be the result of serious heart disease. Other early symptoms include fever, fatigue, body aches, headache and rash.
“Once the bug gets into you, it goes throughout the body and sets up quiet housekeeping.. in particular in the heart,” infectious disease Dr. William Schaffer said. “It smolders there for many years, anywhere from 20 to 30 years.”