Mosquitoes are insects
that live all over the world. There are thousands of different species
of mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes bite animals and humans and drink a very small
amount of their blood. They need protein and iron from blood to produce
eggs. After drinking blood, they find some standing water and lay their
eggs in it. The eggs hatch into larvae, then pupae, and then they become
adult mosquitos. The males live for about a week to ten days, and the
females can live up to several weeks. Some female mosquitoes can
hibernate in the winter, and they can live for months.
What health problems can mosquito bites cause?
Most mosquito bites are harmless, but there are times when they can
be dangerous. The ways that mosquito bites can affect humans include
- Causing itchy bumps, as an immune system response
to the mosquito's saliva. This is the most common reaction. The bumps
usually go away after a day or two.
- Causing allergic reactions, including blisters, large hives, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body. It is a medical emergency.
- Spreading diseases to humans. Some of these
diseases can be serious. Many of them do not have any treatments, and
only a few have vaccines to prevent them. These diseases are more of a
problem in Africa and other tropical areas of the world. One factor is climate change,
which makes the conditions in some parts more
favorable to certain types of mosquitoes.
Which diseases can mosquitoes spread?
Common diseases spread by mosquitoes include
- Chikungunya,
a viral infection that causes symptoms such as fever and severe joint
pain. The symptoms usually last about a week, but for some, the joint
pain may last for months. Most cases of chikungunya in the United States
are in people who traveled to other countries. There have been a few
cases where it has spread in the United States.
- Dengue,
a viral infection that causes a high fever, headaches, joint and muscle
pain, vomiting, and a rash. Most people get better within a few weeks.
In some cases, it can become very severe, even life-threatening. Dengue
is rare in the United States.
- Malaria,
a parasitic disease that causes serious symptoms such as high fevers,
shaking chills, and flu-like illness. It can be life-threatening, but
there are drugs to treat it. Malaria is a major health problem in many
tropical and subtropical areas of the world.
- West Nile Virus
(WNV), a viral infection that often has no symptoms. In those that do
have symptoms, they are usually mild, and include fever, headache, and
nausea. In rare cases, the virus can enter the brain, and it can be
life-threatening. WNV has spread across the continental United States.
- Zika Virus,
a viral infection that often does not cause symptoms. One in five
infected people do get symptoms, which are usually mild. They include a
fever, rash, joint pain, and pinkeye. Besides being spread by
mosquitoes, Zika can spread from mother to baby during pregnancy and
cause serious birth defects. It can also spread from one partner to
another during sex.
How can I prevent mosquito bites?
- Use an insect repellent when you go outdoors.
Choose a registered insect
repellent. They are evaluated to make sure they are safe and effective. it could be a spray,cream, coil- anything, just make sure that the repellant has one of these ingredients: DEET,
picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. It is
important to follow the instructions on the label.
- Cover up. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks
when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin fabric, so spray thin
clothes with an EPA-registered repellent like permethrin. Don't apply
permethrin directly to skin.
- Mosquito-proof your home. Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Use air conditioning if you have it.
- Get rid of mosquito breeding sites. Regularly empty
standing water from your house and yard. The water could be in
flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded
tires, or birdbaths.
- If you plan to travel, get information about the areas you will be going to.
Find out whether there is a risk of diseases from mosquitoes, and if
so, whether there is a vaccine or medicine to prevent those diseases.
See a health care provider familiar with travel medicine, ideally 4 to 6
weeks before your trip
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