One of my sons and his girlfriend have just returned from India - full of bites
from these guys...
http://www.bed-bugs.co.uk/gallery.html

In the UK, bedbugs reach peak numbers towards early autumn when all stages in
their life cycle will be present. They are widespread in the UK - more common
than ever, because they love central heating!

They also love TRAVELLERS! Bedbugs are unable to fly but can crawl and be
passively transported in clothing, luggage, furniture, books etc. They are able
to survive many months without feeding which increases their chances of
surviving long periods of transportation or storage.

Any household can become infested with bedbugs. Though often associated with
premises with low standards of hygiene, increased travel abroad has opened to
doors of any house.

Although bedbugs are not regarded as disease carriers their blood feeding can
cause severe irritation in some people, resulting in loss of sleep, lack of
energy and listlessness, particularly in children. The bite of a bedbug often
gives rise to a hard, whitish swelling which is different from a flea bite which
leaves a dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. People react differently
to bites, some gaining immunity.

The excrement of a bedbug gives a characteristic speckled appearance to their
harbourages. They also have stink glands which confer a distinctive and
unpleasant almond like smell in infected rooms. The thought of being preyed on
by bedbugs is normally sufficient to make most people take immediate action for
some form of control!
South Cambridgeshire Council have a page of information and advice here:
http://www.scambs.gov.uk/Environment/Pestsandnuisance/InsectPests/bedbugs.htm

BEDBUG RISKS WHEN TRAVELLING!
My son's bedtime companions were the horrific tropical species of bedbug - up to
8mm long...
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cimex_hemipterus\
.html

Its a tough way for a Medical student to further his studies!...
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1088931-overview [also click image for
gruesome detail]

You might not be the only one using your bed for romantic purposes, check out
the "traumatic insemination" picture on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_bugs