There is currently no conclusive evidence that bed bugs effectively transmit human diseases.
Under laboratory conditions, bed bugs have been shown to carry over 40 human pathogens, including hepatitis B virus and HIV; however, epidemiological studies and experimental transmission studies have not found evidence that bed bugs transmit these pathogens to humans under natural conditions.
Despite not transmitting infectious diseases, the impact of bed bugs on human health cannot be ignored: bites cause intense itching and red welts, and excessive scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections; more serious is the psychological impact — people bitten by bed bugs frequently report severe anxiety, insomnia, social isolation, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
A systematic review found that anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher among individuals with bed bug infestations compared to the general population.
In the United States, bed bug infestations have led to numerous lawsuits and forced evictions in apartment buildings, demonstrating that their social and psychological health impact far exceeds the physiological level.