Fleas are parasitic insects that carry many harmful, or even deadly, diseases treatmented by flea bites. There are more than 2,400 species of fleas world-wide. Fleas reproduce at an astounding rate and can live for long periods without food. They can jump up to 150 times their height. All of this makes preventing the diseases spread almost impossible.
One disease carried by flea bites is Bubonic Plague, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella pestis. The Bubonic Plague is also called the Black Death. It was this disease which decimated Europe and other areas during the Middle Ages, killing millions of people.
Symptoms of the Black Death are enlarged lymph nodes, fever, chills and prostration. Other symptoms are fever, blisters, headache, exhaustion, and delirium. Contrary to popular belief, the Plague has not been eradicated.
Every year, thousands of people around the world are killed by this deadly and virulent disease. Plague is still primarily spread by flea bites. Luckily, there are antibiotic treatments available to alleviate or cure the Plague, but it is still a real threat in our modern world, especially to children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems or no access to treatment.
Fleas are known to carry Pneumonic Plague, caused by Yersinia Pestis , a different bacterium than Bubonic Plague. Symptoms of Pneumonic Plague are fever, chills, cough and difficulty breathing; rapid shock and death if not treated early. This disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught and diagnosed early enough.
Another disease spread by flea bites is Endemic Typhus, caused by organisms called Rickettsia. Typhus is not the same disease as Typhoid Fever, despite the similarity of the names. Endemic Typhus symptoms include joint pain, headache, chills, nausea, fever, vomiting, and cough. Treatment consists of powerful antibiotics.
A fairly common effect of flea bites is Flea Allergy Dermatitus. Cats are particularly susceptible to flea allergies. This allergic reaction is usually mild, but can be dangerous in extreme cases. Symptoms are intense itching, hair loss, and biting around the base of the tail. Symptoms usually worsen during the summer.
Fleas also carry Myxomatosis, a disease that afflicts rabbits. It is usually deadly, but symptoms can include facial swelling, very high fever, and secondary bacterial infection. People with pet rabbits should take every precaution to prevent flea infestation.
Fleas are known to spread other secondary parasites when they bite a host. Tape worms can, and often are, spread in this way. There are several species of tape worms that can be transmitted via flea bite, such as Dipylidium caninum which typically affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans. Similarly, the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta can be passed to people by the rat flea. Most people believe that tape worms only affect the intestinal tract. While that is generally true, they can also affect almost any other part of the body, including the brain.
Symptoms of tape worm infestation are often misdiagnosed as other illnesses, so it is important to test for tape worms if you have been bitten by fleas and present any symptoms. Some intestinal symptoms include nausea, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness, intestinal obstruction, anemia, and distention.
Other symptoms of flea-borne tape worms are hepatic cysts, jaundice, and cholangitis if the worm has taken up residence in the liver. Symptoms in the Central Nervous System result from the worm travelling through the blood stream to the brain and nerves while very small. Seizures, head pressure, altered mental states, and meningitis often accompany this sort of tape worm infestation.
Flea bites can carry one or all of these diseases. Many people find it amazing that a “harmless nuisance” like a flea could be so dangerous. The truth is that we do not consider fleas a danger because they are so common; we take for granted that anything so prevalent cannot possibly be very dangerous. It becomes important to take fleas seriously, however, when we consider how many illnesses they cause.
Flea Bites: Diseases, Tapeworm, Black Death and Treatments
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