Looks like mosquitoes aren’t the only bugs we need to look out for in Mississippi. Over the past several months, kissing bugs have been making their way throughout the United States. Not nearly as sweet as they sound, the blood-sucking pests may carry a parasite, which can lead to a lifelong disease. Read on for everything you need to know about these pesky insects.

Originating in Latin America, triatomine bugs, a.k.a. kissing bugs, are quickly spreading throughout U.S.
gailhampshire/Wikimedia
Don’t let the sweet-sounding name fool you. Kissing bugs carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease, which can lead to some serious health issues.
gailhampshire/Wikimedia
So, how did the bugs get their nickname? It’s because they usually bite people around the mouth or another part of the face, which makes sense when you learn that they’re attracted to the carbon dioxide we breathe out.
M I S C H E L L E/Flickr
Because the bugs like to bite their victims in the face, most people are bit while sleeping since the face is uncovered – and hence, an easy target. It also doesn’t help that kissing bugs are nocturnal.
S. Davis/Flickr

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Ready to be really grossed out? The kissing bug spreads the Chagas disease through a parasite in its feces! That’s right; the bug bites its victim and then defecates into the wound.
CDC/World Health Organization/Wikimedia
Remember, not all kissing bugs carry the parasite, so a bite doesn’t necessarily result in Chagas disease. For those that do contract the disease, symptoms can include heart rhythm problems, an enlarged esophagus, and other serious issues.
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And it’s not just humans who are at risk. The bugs can also bite dogs, causing the same heart issues as in people.
Stewart Baird/Flickr
To complicate matters, kissing bugs are extremely hard to identify since they look so similar to a variety of other insects. According to WebMD, features you should look out for include "stripes around their edges, thin antennae and legs, and a cone-shaped head."
Zezinho68/Wikimedia
Aside from knowing what kissing bugs look like, it’s important to know where they like to hang out. They’re commonly found indoors in cracks and holes as well as in a variety of outdoor settings, such as porches, outdoor dog houses, and chicken coops.
Bramadi Arya/Wikimedia

There’s good news, though. According to the CDC, “The likelihood of getting the infection in the U.S. is low, even if the bug is infected.” The CDC simply recommends that people be aware of the bug and the potential risks it imposes. They also have special steps you should take if you find a kissing bug. Click here for more information.

So, did you know about kissing bugs? Have you spotted any? Tell us in the comments section.

This isn’t the only thing plaguing the nation. Read about another here.

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