This is topic DON'T LET THE BEDBUGS BITE!! in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by chaps (Member # 25286) on :
 
With all of the recent press about bedbugs making a major resurgence, it begs the question: Do bedbugs transmit Lyme and coinfections? If they don't it's probably just a matter of time. After all, all it really takes is a bug that bites to become infected or carry it.

The implications of this are potentially horrific.

Or are they? I hate to say this, but it seems very possible that the best thing that could happen to people who are currently infected with chronic Lyme is for Lyme to become an epidemic. Once politicians, insurance company execs, drug lobbyists, doctors, FDA personnel, pharmaceutical company execs, and their family members get sick with the chronic version of this disease, maybe then they'll admit that it exists and all of the obstacles to finding the quickest and best cure will be removed and the human race will make some progress toward affordable AND EFFECTIVE treatment and prevention.

I know it can be done. It's just that the people with the power don't want it to be done right now.

[ 08-28-2010, 10:18 AM: Message edited by: chaps ]
 
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
 
I love to travel, chaps, and the possibility of Lyme transmission via bedbugs has never occurred to me.

But I shiver just at the thought of having bedbugs on me.

Because they've become so rampant, I won't use sites like priceline or hotwire that don't specifically tell you (prior to booking) where you're staying...even though these sites are typically more of a bargain.

Instead, I double-check hotels for the presence of bedbugs, right up until I leave.

I primarily use tripadvisor and search user reviews--pulling up the most negative ones first. If there are (or have been) bedbugs in the past few years, I won't stay there.

With bedbugs spreading to movie theaters and clothing stores, it's getting harder and harder to protect yourself, but for me, it's important to try.

As for bedbugs as potential Lyme vectors, that's a double-shiver for me!

Andie
 
Posted by bv (Member # 9578) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by onbam:
Yep--the infectious dose is 1 germ, so anything that draws blood can spread it.


Chaps--agree. The EIS thugs recommend inadequate prophylaxis, and the only reason to do this is create chronic infection. Somebody, somewhere, wants us to suffer with this. It's an inside job and a holocaust.

What is EIS?
 
Posted by chaps (Member # 25286) on :
 
Go to THIS SITE to find out more on the EIS.
 
Posted by bcaring (Member # 9157) on :
 
I am trying to locate a video of one of the main early morning shows that questioned a panel of women physicians on bed bugs. Can't find it so I will post what I wrote down.

Some stats or comments from those women:

Bed bugs carry 24 known pathogens but to date there is no proof they transmit infection. (That is really scary).

The bites can get secondarily infected.

Bedbugs are blood feeding vectors who feed from humans, dogs, and especially mice and birds. (Am I correct in seeing huge implications here?)

Some search dogs are used to detect them because they secret an oily substance that has a sweet fruity smell.

Beth
 
Posted by Consuelachacha (Member # 26538) on :
 
Chaps;

Well said!
 
Posted by chaps (Member # 25286) on :
 
quote:
Bed bugs carry 24 known pathogens but to date there is no proof they transmit infection.
Ah yes, the infamous last words, "no proof." Then, once you give them proof, they say, "no scientific proof."
 
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
 
Is there a list of the 24 pathogens, or do we have to guess? We have always had International travelers, so why is there such an epidemic of these bugs now?

Gael
 
Posted by Paul Mall (Member # 27581) on :
 
all this bed bug stuff on the news had me tearing down my bedroom for a cleaning... thank god I found no signs of them . that would have freaked me out.

but it's only logical they could transmit lyme or many other things.

I did not even think of the hotel aspect. I have to go to florida in a couple weeks for my sisters wedding now I am worried.

Paul
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
re: why is there such an epidemic of these bugs now?

Good question, Gael....
 
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
 
Gael,
Local officials around here attribute it to more extensive travel & "picking up used furniture from the side of the road."
Pretty laughable.
I suspect it's more to do with global warming (helping All insects out, it seems).

I think all the bugs go in cycles & we're in an upswing, esp. around Here in the last year or 2.

I can't help but note that the Depression era also saw an uptick (a-hem) in 'bothersome bugs'. Maybe people are more stressed out & therefore less tidy? (Bed bugs LOVE clutter)
I dunno.
 
Posted by Pam08 (Member # 19203) on :
 
I read an article that said the reason they are so rampant now is because they have developed a resistance to most pesticides.

Also the chemical that actually can wipe them out is now a banned chemical because it is so toxic.

That chemical can no longer be used indoors but apparently that is really the only thing that will kill these things now.
 
Posted by sickpuppy (Member # 23846) on :
 
I was thinking bed bugs could spread lyme too. Why not?
However Chaps, I didn't consider that it could be an epidemic OR
that an epidemic could be the much needed call to action/change.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that but it probably will. Not sure that'll help us. It would take years to errode the fortress of lies currently in place and many more years for scientists to work on an effective and affordable CURE.

BTW, if bed bugs did come knocking at my door it would no doubt result in infecting my friends and family. It would take some time for the bug that bit me to get to the rich and powerful. I don't like this thought.
 
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
 
Pam is right about that. I know more than I would like to because one of my kids got them in their apartment last year, in NYC.

They heard about the infestation just as they were moving, and thought they got out in time, but a few months later they showed up in my granddaughter's room. She had bites all over her.

They are nocturnal and find their meals from the carbon dioxide that we breathe out. I wondered if keeping a nightlight on would keep them away.

We think that a rug that got dragged near their apartment and left there probably was the source, but they could have come up any way. They like to climb. There are special bed risers you can used that will keep them out.

Getting rid of them is almost impossible. I can barely clean my house, or if you looked at it now you would say I can't clean it! I can't imagine having to do a thorough cleaning and purging to get rid of them.

You can find lots of info by googling it.
 
Posted by chaps (Member # 25286) on :
 
We have global trade and travel to thank for this problem--Americans going to the middle east and middle easterners traveling to the US.

I wonder if THESE things would work?

So how about this: You travel somewhere and you are able to avoid a hotel that has bedbugs. But then you get on the plane to come home and someone else on the plane picked up bedbugs from THEIR hotel and it's in their luggage. Then, in the luggage compartment on the plane, they jump from their luggage to your luggage. Then you take them home with you. --NICE.

Remember the Seinfeld episode where George Constanza is trying not to get too involved with the girl he was dating because she had a big nose (before her nose job) and wanted to take a trip? He said to her: "I tell ya, you couldn't get me on a plane right now." That's how I feel with this bed bug thing going on.
 
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
 
I thought to get rid of bedbugs all you had to do what put your mattress outside on a sunny day and that would kill them all.

How do you check to see if hotel rooms have bedbugs?? Of course I have to travel to see my LLMD!!
 
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
 
Just found this.

www.tallmanscientific.com

They claim to have a spray that kills on contact. Don't know if it works or not, but thought I would post it for anyone interested.

Gael
 
Posted by chaps (Member # 25286) on :
 
A news segment that I saw once said they love to hang out on the back of the bed's headboard, so that might be a good place to take a cursory look. The problem is, I'm sure that's the first place the hotel staff checks and removes them. It's tougher to get them out of the mattress and box spring, so just because you don't see them on the back of the headboard, it doesn't mean they're not in the bed.

I've got an idea....sleep in the rental vehicle and just use the room for the shower. Keep all of the luggage in the vehicle, too. Just pull out what you need and bring it up right before you shower.

quote:
I thought to get rid of bedbugs all you had to do what put your mattress outside on a sunny day and that would kill them all.

If this works, you still have to get them out of the carpet, the closets, the furniture, the box spring, the clothing, etc.
 
Posted by burnsjw (Member # 11819) on :
 
My husband and I found them in a hotel in Utah about 1.5 years ago. We were checking the piping around the mattress for red blood spots and found them and then saw blood on the sheets where the sheets were tucked in bottom of bed. we know someone who found them by checking this way. We immed . went to front desk and said we found evidence of bedbugs and they said, "No problem" and immed gave us our money back without saying anything else. They then left the front desk, immed., to avoid us. They knew they had them. It was a chain hotel. I can't remember the name, but it was not a motel 6. Better hotel. I have to travel to see my dr. and so we bought a used pop up camper.
 


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