Watch Out The Kissing Bug Parasite Could Be Heading To New York State

As we get closer to winter, people are starting to slow with all of the hot weather activities that we had going on outside. Swimming and water skiing will soon transition to snow fun and sitting by the fire keeping warm. While that sounds like it could trigger a nice night of romantic activity that could include some kissing. There is one kiss that could end up doing more to you than making you fall in love.

For the last few weeks, health officials have been warning about a type of bug that could kill you in a not so sexy way, which has been making its way north, and now it's essentially knocking on New York's door.

According to the New York Post, there are these so-called kissing bugs that have been found in more than 30 American states, and they have been steadily making their way to the north.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, there have been several people who have been infected with Chagas Disease, a potentially deadly parasitic infection that is currently considered endemic in the United States.

Chagas disease has been found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and with their close proximity to the Empire State, it shouldn't come as a surprise that folks in New York are starting to worry about being kissed by one of these bugs.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the small brown or black bugs that spread this disease are called kissing bugs because they like to bite people in the face.

Once the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi has you, Chagas disease can cause a sudden illness that has several symptoms, like eyelid swelling, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and increased liver or spleen size. If the disease progresses, it can cause constipation, an enlarged colon, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.

There are no known cures for Chagas disease, but there are treatments that may help. The best thing you can do is to make sure you keep yourself safe.

The CDC does have some tips you can follow to help prevent yourself from getting this disease. However, thanks to the current government shutdown, you may have a hard time getting help from the CDC.