Bed Bugs Turn One-Night Hotel Stay Into Weeks of Misery

A one-night hotel stay in Cambridge, England, turned into nearly two weeks of itching, swelling and frustration for a woman who says she was attacked by bed bugs while staying at a Travelodge.

According to the BBC, 31-year-old Hannah Stephenson booked a room at the Travelodge on Newmarket Road on July 26 after spending an evening sightseeing and visiting pubs with friends. The following morning, she woke up with red, itchy lumps across her body and discovered blood spots on the bedding and bugs around the sleeping area.

The reaction continued after she left the hotel. Stephenson said the bites spread to her face and her arms became swollen. Nearly two weeks later, she was still taking antihistamines, waking during the night because of itching and avoiding some social events because she felt self-conscious about her appearance.

The British Pest Control Association says bed bugs become more active during warm weather, when they feed and mate more frequently. Warning signs include irritating red bites, small blood smears on bedding and small brown insects around sleeping areas.

Stephenson, who has traveled extensively throughout Asia, Africa and South America without previously experiencing bed bug bites, said she hopes the incident encourages hotels to remain vigilant and other travelers to speak up when they encounter similar problems.