You may think that tiny organisms like fleas are just blood-sucking parasites and may compare them to small-sized vampires. But this is not the case.
Fleas, tiny nasty organisms, cause many diseases and epidemics. They can affect the economy and condition of the whole country.
In this article, you will learn about the diseases spread by them, the symptoms and treatment of these diseases, and how to prevent them.
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| Disease | Pathogen | Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| Murine typhus | Rickettsia typhi | Flea bite |
| Bubonic plague | Yersinia pestis | Flea bite |
| Tularemia | Francisella tularensis | Flea bite |
| Bartonellosis | Bartonella henselae | Flea bite, scratch or bite |
| Cat scratch fever | Bartonella henselae | Flea bite, scratch, or bite |
| Rickettsialpox | Rickettsia akari | Mite or flea bite |
| Tapeworm infection | Dipylidium caninum | Ingestion of infected flea |
| Mycoplasma haemofelis | Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly Haemobartonella felis) | Flea bite |
Diseases Spread by Fleas
Fleas are known to carry and transmit various diseases to humans and animals. Some of the diseases that can be transmitted by fleas include:
Plague
Fleas are known to be the primary carriers of the bacteria Yersinia pestis which causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Bubonic plague is the most common form,
Murine Typhus
Fleas can also transmit the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis, which cause murine typhus and flea-borne spotted fever, respectively.
Tapeworms
Fleas can also carry tapeworm larvae, which can infect pets and humans when they accidentally ingest an infected flea.
Cat scratch disease
Fleas that have bitten infected cats can transmit the bacteria Bartonella henselae, which can cause a condition known as cat scratch disease in humans.
Tularemia
Fleas can also transmit the bacteria Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia.
Tungiasis
It is caused by burrowing sand fleas. Travelers are advised to wear shoes while walking in the sand of the affected regions so that they do not get this disease. The flea burrows into the epidermis of the skin of the feet.
Rickettsialpox
Rickettsialpox is a rare bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia akari. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mites or fleas.
Mycoplasma haemofelis
Mycoplasma haemofelis is a small bacterium that can infect the red blood cells of cats, causing a condition known as feline infectious anemia. The bacteria are transmitted through flea bites.
Allergies due to fleabites
It is widespread. Fleabites can cause redness, rashes, and itchiness. Some people might feel breathlessness when a flea bites them.
Symptoms and Treatment
The symptoms of diseases caused by fleabites differ from disease to disease.
- The symptoms experienced by people affected by plague include fever, body pain, breathlessness, swollen lymph nodes, and many more. Antibiotics are given for treatment.
- People who suffer from Murine typhus experience pain, nausea, fatigue, and restlessness. The treatment includes the consumption of doxycycline.
- The symptoms of Cat scratch disease include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
- The symptoms of Tularemia include fever, chills, and fatigue, and in severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia or sepsis. Treatment includes the consumption of antibiotics like Streptomycin and doxycycline.
- The symptoms of Tungiasis are pain, foot ulcers, and nausea. Treatment includes the removal of fleas and taking anti-parasitic medicines.
- The symptoms of Rickettsialpox include fever, headache, and a skin rash with a black eschar, which is a dark scab-like lesion that forms at the site of the bite.
- The symptoms of Mycoplasma haemofelis include lethargy, weakness, and pale gums.
- The symptoms of allergic diseases are breathlessness, body pain, fever, and chills. Treatment is just like that of any other allergic disease. It includes the application of antihistamines. It can prevent conjunctivitis and motion sickness.
Preventive Measures
It would be best if you tried to protect yourself from coming in contact with fleas.
- Wear shoes while traveling, and clean your house regularly.
- Please keep your pets clean and take them to regular visits to a vet.
- Use salt and essential oils to protect your pets and yourself from diseases caused by fleas. You can prepare a solution of essential oils and spray it in your home.
- Sprinkle salt in the probable living areas of fleas. If you find even one flea in your home, start the process of eliminating them.
- Keep the size of the grass in your garden short.Â
Still, if you get an infection, visit a doctor as soon as possible for proper and timely treatment.
Final Words
Try to prevent yourself from flea infections. It might seem ignorable, but it can be severe and problematic.
We hope you stay aware and protect yourself and your family from flea infestation. Stay safe and healthy.
