Overview
Kissing bugs spread the parasite through their droppings, often while people sleep.
Without treatment, about 1 in 3 people develop heart or gut problems years later.
Symptoms
Common signs:
- Usually no symptoms
Less common
- Heart problems later
- Swelling near the eye early on
Look up a symptom: Fever · Irregular, skipping, or fluttering heartbeat
When to get medical care
Call 911This isn't an emergency by itself. Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting.
Get care todayFainting or chest pain.
See a doctor soonBorn or lived in Latin America.
Causes
Parasite.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It usually doesn't spread from person to person.
- People get it from: kissing bug bites.
Diagnosis
A clinician asks about your symptoms and may order tests.
The exam
A physical exam.
Tests
Tests, if needed:
- Blood test:
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and how severe it is.
Self-care
- Get tested if you lived in rural Latin America
- Take all medicine
Prevention
To lower your risk or prevent problems:
- Seal cracks in homes in risk areas
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- Pregnancy: It can pass to the baby.
- People from Latin America: Higher risk.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
Outlook
Outlook depends on the cause; early care helps.
Getting ready for your visit
Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.
What to bring
- A list of your medicines and supplements
- Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse
Questions to ask
- What's causing this?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- Should my children be tested?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-12.