Cockroaches are not only pests that disgust most but can also cause many dangerous diseases to both adults and children. The younger and elderly populations need to be more vigilant, as they are more vulnerable owing to weak immunity. The most common disease that can happen on coming in contact with cockroaches or consuming the food or water contaminated by them is food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning caused by the cockroach germs include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It is treatable via oral hydration, i.e., ORS, and antibiotics in select cases.

Typhoid fever

Another serious disease that can be caused by a bacterium that cockroaches spread is typhoid. The bacteria is called Salmonella typhi bacteria, and it enters the body via contaminated water that we may drink or contaminated food we may eat. Its symptoms are high fever, weakness, headache, sometimes constipation, and sometimes diarrhea, typically appearing within 12 to 72 hours. It can generally be relieved with proper rest and antibiotics.

Cholera

According to Dr. Shivani Swami, HOD, pulmonology, allergy, and sleep medicine at Amar Jain Hospital, Jaipur, “Cholera is another disease that can be spread by cockroaches and happens mostly if proper hygiene is not maintained. The patient has symptoms such as diarrhea, which is watery, vomiting, etc. IV fluids and antibiotics would be needed in case the symptoms lead to dehydration.”