Common Diseases Spread by Cockroaches: Types, Symptoms & Treatment

Nobody likes spotting a cockroach dart across the kitchen floor—but the problem is much bigger than disgust. Cockroaches thrive in drains, bins, and dark corners, silently carrying dangerous germs with them. A joint study by Dyson & FICCI found that cockroach allergens were present in nearly every urban Indian home tested, while surveys reveal that around 80% of households in Indian cities experience cockroach infestations. That raises a serious question: what diseases do cockroaches carry, and how can families stay safe?

In this blog, we’ll explore the illnesses linked to cockroaches, symptoms to watch for, and why timely pest control, effective cockroach control, and practical tips on how to get rid of cockroaches are essential for a healthier home.

Book HiCare Pest Control Services for Lasting Cockroach Control

HiCare’s cockroach pest control services are designed to eliminate infestations from the root and protect your home from the many diseases cockroaches carry. With eco-friendly methods and expert technicians, HiCare ensures a safe and long-term solution for your family. Its revolutionary 4D Cockroach Treatment—Deny Shelter, Deny Food, Destroy & Control, and Digital Monitoring—offers unmatched protection for your home.

Here’s why HiCare is the trusted choice across India:

• Pan-India Presence: Services available in 30+ cities, trusted by lakhs of households.
• Warranty-Backed Treatments: Annual Maintenance Contracts with assured results.
• Safe & Eco-Friendly: Odorless, child- and pet-safe cockroach treatment.
• Expert Technicians: Trained professionals delivering hygienic and effective service.
• Convenient & Hassle-Free: No need to empty your kitchen or disrupt your routine.

List of Diseases Caused by Cockroaches

We assume it is pretty clear that cockroaches are dangerous and need to be controlled through regular and efficient cockroach pest control services. Here is a whole list of diseases caused by cockroaches. Have a look:

1. Salmonellosis: If there are cockroaches in a place, there is a high risk of the inhabitants suffering from Salmonellosis. It is caused by contracting the Salmonella Bacterium present in cockroaches.
2. Dysentery: Second common disease caused by cockroaches is dysentery. The two types of dysentery diseases that can be spread by cockroach infestation are Bacillary Dysentery and Amoebic Dysentery.
3. Cholera: Spread by Vibrio Cholerae Bacterium, Cholera is another common cockroach disease. This infection occurs due to the intake of contaminated food or water.
4. Typhoid: Cockroaches are seen in places that lack hygiene, which in turn often leads to typhoid infection. This infection happens when someone consumes food contaminated with Salmonella Typhi Bacterium spread by cockroaches.
5. Leprosy: Cockroaches can be blamed for infecting you with a disease called leprosy. It is spread through bacillus Mycobacterium Leprae, often found in cockroaches.
6. Campylobacteriosis: It is a bacterial infection caused by contracting Campylobacterium from cockroach-contaminated food.
7. Bubonic Plague: Not just rats, even cockroaches may spread a plague such as bubonic plague. Some symptoms of bubonic plague are chills, swollen lymph nodes, and high fever.

These are the diseases often contracted by a person by consuming food contaminated by cockroach saliva or urine, or due to a cockroach bite.

Cockroach Disease Symptoms

You just read about the common diseases spread by cockroaches. Interestingly, most of them have common symptoms and they are:

1. Diarrhea
2. Nausea
3. Fever
4. Muscle or Joint Pain
5. Wheezing
6. Breath Shortness
7. Vomiting
8. Runny Nose
9. Cough
10. Sore Throat
11. Skin Rashes

Why Control Cockroaches?

Before discussing the diseases spread by cockroaches, read about the importance of cockroach control. It is important to consider cockroach control services for the home at regular intervals for the following reasons:

• Maintains Overall Hygiene at Home: Cockroaches are a threat to the overall hygiene of your house and may contaminate the air and surroundings with their droppings and wings.
• Prevents Food Contamination: With a cockroach treatment, you can minimize the chances of food contamination due to their infectious droppings.
• Prevents Health Hazards: You can keep yourself and your family safe from the threat of health diseases spread by cockroaches with a timely-booked cockroach control treatment.
• Provides a Pest-Free Home to Pets: Not just for your family, but cockroach pest control is important to keep your house safe for your pets.
• Prevents Property Damage: Cockroach infestation may soon lead to property damage, as these pests may eat up anything organic coming their way. Don’t let it happen and for this, book a cockroach control service.

How Do Cockroaches Transmit Germs and Bacteria?

Cockroaches are notorious carriers of harmful microbes, making many people wonder: what diseases do cockroaches carry? The answer lies in how easily they contaminate our surroundings. As they crawl through drains, garbage, and food storage areas, they spread pathogens through:

• Droppings and Urine: Leaving behind bacteria and allergens on floors and surfaces.
• Saliva and Regurgitation: Contaminating uncovered food and utensils.
• Body Parts and Legs: Carrying germs from dirty places to kitchens and dining areas.
• Direct Food Contact: Crawling over food, spreading bacteria and parasites.

This contamination increases the risk of illnesses like diarrhea, food poisoning, and other infections.

Why Choose HiCare for Safe and Effective Cockroach Control?

HiCare provides reliable cockroach control and cockroach treatment solutions to protect your family from the many diseases cockroaches carry. Here’s why thousands trust HiCare:

• 4D Cockroach Treatment: Deny shelter, Deny food, Destroy & Control, and Digital monitoring.
• Safe & Eco-Friendly: Child- and pet-friendly products with minimal chemicals.
• Advanced Gel & Spray: Targets hidden and visible cockroach breeding spots.
• Convenient Service: No kitchen emptying, quick and hassle-free process.
• Warranty-Backed Plans: 1- or 2-year AMC with periodic services.
• Expert Technicians: Trained professionals ensuring lasting results.
• Trusted Brand: 30+ years of experience and pan-India presence.

Book your HiCare cockroach control service today and safeguard your home!

Rare but Serious Health Risks from Cockroaches

Beyond the well-known infections like diarrhea, cholera, or typhoid, cockroaches have also been linked to some rare but serious health risks. These are not common but highlight why infestations should never be ignored:

• Leprosy: Some studies have detected Mycobacterium leprae on cockroaches, suggesting they could act as passive carriers.
• Polio: In unhygienic environments, cockroaches may mechanically transport poliovirus.
• Bubonic Plague: While fleas are the main culprits, cockroaches have been found to harbor plague bacteria under extreme conditions.
• Parasitic Worms: They can carry eggs of intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms, raising the risk of gut infections.

Although these cases are rare, they reinforce the importance of timely cockroach control and professional cockroach treatment to avoid exposure to dangerous pathogens.

Who Is at Higher Risk from Cockroach-Borne Diseases?

While cockroach infestations can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable to the health problems they cause. Knowing who is at higher risk helps in taking quicker preventive action.

• Children: Weaker immunity and frequent hand-to-mouth contact increase infection risk.
• Elderly: Age-related decline in immunity makes recovery slower and complications more likely.
• Asthma and Allergy Patients: Cockroach allergens can trigger severe breathing difficulties.
• People with Weak Immunity: Those with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems are more prone to infections.

For these groups, professional cockroach control and timely medical care are especially important.

Cockroaches Might Trigger Some Health Issues

Besides the above-listed diseases, cockroaches may trigger the symptoms of certain diseases such as:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• E. coli Infection
• Gastroenteritis
• Listeriosis
• Streptococcus
• Staphylococcus Aureus

Diagnosis for Cockroach Spread Diseases

Having read about the symptoms of cockroach spread diseases, it is time you also learn about the way to diagnose such diseases. Diseases caused by cockroaches can be diagnosed in the following ways:

• Physical Examination
• Laboratory Testing
• Skin Biopsy (In case of leprosy)
• Skin Prick Testing
• IgE Blood Testing

Cockroach Disease Treatments

What if you contract any of the above-listed diseases spread by cockroaches? Do not panic, medical science has advanced a lot and provides treatment for all such diseases. Here are some of the best treatments for cockroach diseases:

• Over-The-Counter Medicines: The first common treatment given to a cockroach disease patient is an OTC medicine like Antihistamine, Decongestant, or Nasal Corticosteroid Spray.
• Prescription Medicines: In severe cases of cockroach spread diseases, your doctor might prescribe you medicines like Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist, Cromolyn Sodium, and Desensitization Treatment.
• Antibiotics: In most cases like Leprosy, Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis, a patient might need to take antibiotics.
• Oral or Intravenous Hydrations: Patients suffering dysentery or cholera due to cockroaches might need a hydration treatment.

How to Prevent Cockroach Bites and Diseases?

Towards the end of the article, we feel it is high time for you to understand that prevention is always better than cure. It is true in case of illness caused due to cockroaches too. So, here are some preventive measures to prevent cockroach bites and diseases:

1. Store food in airtight containers
2. Seal all pest entry points in the bathrooms, kitchens, attic, and other rooms
3. Keep your kitchen clean and dry
4. Repair water-leaking pipes
5. Change garbage bags daily
6. Use eco-friendly disinfectants
7. Keep your bathroom clean

Conclusion

You need not worry about any of the above-mentioned diseases spread by cockroaches if you book cockroach pest control services from HiCare. The company has been in the business of pest control since 1993 and has been satisfying residents and business owners alike with its efficient pest and digital hygiene solutions.

Offering the best pest control for cockroaches and other pests like rodents, termites, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and wood borers, HiCare offers warranty-backed services. The efficient hygiene experts of the company will not let a single cockroach hide inside your premises with their cockroach pest control service. So, stay healthy and keep cockroach diseases away with a timely booked cockroach control service.