Mosquito Bite Diseases and Symptoms
Mosquitos can carry a variety of potentially deadly diseases. It is important that those that spend a significant amount of time outside each year be aware of the different mosquitos diseases. Although there is no way to prevent these diseases for certain, the best thing you can do is take as many preventative steps as possible. Owning a propane mosquito trap in an effort to eliminate a mosquito population is just one way to help reduce the likelihood of these diseases. If owning a trap is not an option for you, try making a homemade mosquito trap. As we say when it comes to mosquito control, a good offence is the best defence.
Mosquito Bite Diseases and Symptoms
West Nile Fever
This is the most commonly associated mosquito-borne disease, especially in the Western countries. West Nile is most frequently transmitted via mosquitos but can also be transmitted via blood transfusions, transplants, and from mother to baby. The good news is about 70-80% of those infected with West Nile Virus do not experience any symptoms. Those that do experience issues, usually 20% experience normal fever symptoms, diarrhea, fever, vomiting etc. However, for 1% of the population, West Nile Virus can be very severe and even deadly.
Where does this occur?
West Nile has occurred in all 48 contiguous states. Seasonal outbreaks can happen and usually vary in geographical location.
Treatment: There is no vaccine or medicine to cure West Nile Virus. Most people will pull through the fever and the body will heal itself. However, in some cases, people may have to be hospitalized
Malaria
Anyone who has traveled overseas has likely researched or at least been told to be careful of Malaria. Malaria is a potentially deadly disease that is present in all countries but most common in the tropics and subtropics. The most common symptoms are headache, fever, chills, and usually, develop within 6-8 days from time of infection.
The reason most people have heard of this disease is that before traveling abroad, many doctors will prescribe malaria tablets as a preventative. Unfortunately, these are not a bullet-proof solution, and taking the tablets can often have an adverse effect (vomiting).
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever is another disease primarily present in the tropics. Tiger mosquitos are the most common carrier of dengue fever. The tiger mosquito is most often found in Asian counties and is often a daytime biting mosquito as opposed to the nighttime mosquitos most Westerners are familiar with. Symptoms of Dengue are fever vary greatly from mild flu symptoms to fatal fevers. Again is is another Mosquito disease with no preventative or cure. Most people will heal themselves, usually with the help of lots of fluids or maybe even an IV. It should be noted that this disease can be contracted many times, and each time it is contracted it becomes exponentially more dangerous.
Encephalitis
There are various forms of Encephalitis including Eastern Equine, La Crosse, Wester Equine and a few more. Eastern Equine Encephalitis has a fatality rate of between 30-60% once it is contacted. This is a serious disease and symptoms usually appear 2-10 days from infection. Symptoms include fever, disorientation, and most server and potentially deadly is swelling of the brain.
Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever is not present in the US but does occur in Africa and South America. Symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). The more serious of cases affect the blood, kidneys, and liver. When infected in the bloodstream, this disease can be deadly.
Treatment: There is no testament for yellow fever. There is, however, a vaccination for yellow fever and also once a person has had yellow fever they are incredibly unlikely to get it again.
Zika
Zika has become much more talked about in recent years after outbreaks in the US in 2015-2016. Zika is spread mostly through mosquito bites from infected mosquitos, however, it can also be transmitted by having sex with a person that is infected. The biggest concerns of this infection are for pregnant women, as the disease can be passed to the fetus. If that happens, the disease may cause a birth defect, known as microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. There are often no symptoms if you become infected with the disease, or they are very mild.
Treatment: there is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease and no specific medicine to treat it. If you have traveled to an area with Zika or have possibly been exposed to the disease, the CDC recommends visiting your doctor for Zika testing.
Mosquito Disease Prevention
Mosquito disease often has no preventative treatment. Therefore taking all the precautionary steps to make oneself as least likely to be exposed to the disease as possible is of utmost importance. Always try to wear mosquito repellant, and of course, make use of a propane mosquito trap placed in the proper location. If you experience pain/itching from a mosquito bite try using some anti-itch cream to relieve the pain.