can kissing bugs kill you

Kissing bugs themselves do not directly kill you, but they can be dangerous because they carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite causes Chagas disease, which can be serious and potentially fatal if left untreated. Kissing bugs bite and then defecate near the bite; it is the infected feces containing the parasite that lead to infection when they enter the body through the bite wound, mucous membranes, or open skin. Most people experience mild or no symptoms initially, but chronic Chagas disease can cause severe heart problems, digestive system issues, and even sudden death years after infection. Also, some people may have severe allergic reactions to the bites themselves, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. In summary, the immediate bite of a kissing bug is not deadly, but the parasite they can transmit through their feces can cause a serious and potentially lethal disease called Chagas disease if untreated.