Fleas are tiny, blood-sucking insects that primarily target animals, but they can also bite humans. While flea bites usually result in discomfort, itching, and irritation, these pests can also transmit harmful diseases. In this blog, we’ll explore the potential health risks fleas pose to humans and why controlling a flea infestation is essential to prevent illness.
How Do Fleas Affect Humans?
When fleas infest your home, they don’t just stay on your pets. They can jump onto humans, causing itchy red welts from their bites. Beyond the irritation of bites, fleas can be carriers of serious diseases. Though these illnesses are rare, they are still a concern, especially if you’re dealing with a severe flea infestation.
Here are five of the most significant health risks fleas can pose to humans:
1. Tapeworm Infections
Tapeworms are common in animals but can also infect humans. Fleas serve as carriers for tapeworm larvae, and if a person accidentally ingests an infected flea, they can develop a tapeworm infection.
Tapeworm infections in humans can cause symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and unexplained weight loss. You might also notice small tapeworm segments in your stool. Fortunately, treatment for tapeworms involves taking medication that kills the parasite, allowing the body to pass it.
2. Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonellosis)
Cat Scratch Disease, caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria, is typically transmitted to humans through the scratch or bite of an infected cat. However, fleas also play a role in spreading this bacteria. If a flea bites an infected cat, it can then transfer the bacteria to a human through subsequent bites.
Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. In some cases, it can lead to more severe complications, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Treatment generally involves antibiotics to eliminate the infection.
3. Murine Typhus
Murine typhus, or flea-borne typhus, occurs when fleas carrying Rickettsia typhi bacteria bite a human. Though more common in tropical areas, murine typhus can still occur in other climates under certain conditions.
Symptoms include high fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and a characteristic rash. Antibiotics are effective in treating the infection, and with proper medical care, long-term complications are unlikely.
4. Tungiasis
Tungiasis is a skin condition caused by the burrowing of Tunga penetrans, a species of flea, into the skin. This flea differs from other types because it embeds itself into the skin, most often in the feet or lower legs, where it feeds on blood.
The affected area develops into a painful and itchy lesion, usually a few millimetres in size. If left untreated, secondary infections can occur. Treatment involves removing or killing the flea using anti-parasitic medication and ensuring that the wound heals properly.
5. Bubonic Plague
The Bubonic Plague, infamously responsible for the Black Death during the Middle Ages, is still present in some parts of the world today. Fleas that feed on infected rodents can transmit the bacterium Yersinia pestis to humans.
Symptoms include swollen and painful lymph nodes, fever, and chills. If not treated promptly, the infection can spread, leading to more severe forms of the disease, such as septicemic or pneumonic plague. Thankfully, modern antibiotics are effective in treating the plague, and most people recover fully if treated early.
Though flea-borne diseases are rare, they are serious enough to warrant concern, especially in households with pets. Regularly treating pets for fleas, keeping living spaces clean, and promptly addressing infestations are crucial steps to protecting both animals and humans from these pests.
If you suspect that fleas are in your home, take immediate action to prevent potential health risks. Consult your veterinarian for pet treatments and contact a professional pest control service to eliminate fleas from your environment. By staying proactive, you can minimise the health risks associated with flea bites and ensure a safe living space for both your family and pets.