The scourge of travelers and city dwellers, bed bug infestations are spreading throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. A wise traveling nurse knows what to look for before settling into a new temporary home or hotel.
Bed bugs are small flat parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are typically red-brown in color, wingless and range from one millimeter to 7 millimeters. While not a medical or health hazard, bed bugs are an annoyance due to the itching and lack of sleep most bite victims experience. The presence of bed bugs is not necessarily an indicator of unsanitary living conditions.
Start an inspection of the new accommodations immediately and focus on all of the large pieces of fabric furniture, such as beds or couches. Remember to strip the bed of all linens and to look in the cracks and crevices of the mattress, mattress pad and headboard for these pesky biters.
If a traveling nurse is bitten or suspects being bitten by bed bugs in the provided accommodations, contact the hotel manager, housing coordinator or staffing agency to resolve the incident as quickly as possible.