Cockroaches are one of the major causes of recurring illness by carrying bacteria and infections from everything they feed and crawl on. Be wary of these diseases to better protect your family against them.
Cockroaches can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can contaminate food and surfaces, leading to salmonellosis when ingested. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever.
Cockroaches may transmit Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, causing gastrointestinal illnesses. Infections can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes more severe complications.
Cockroach allergens in their feces, saliva, and shed skin can trigger allergies and exacerbate asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals, especially in children.
Cockroach infestations can contribute to the spread of gastroenteritis, a condition characterized by stomach and intestinal inflammation leading to symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
While rare, there have been historical instances where cockroaches were associated with the transmission of the poliovirus, which causes polio. However, this is not a common transmission route for the virus.
In some cases, cockroaches have been found to carry Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever, although this is not a primary transmission source for the disease.