HealthyLife Articles

Tag: mosquito

  • West Nile Virus

    General Health Conditions

    Mosquito bites cause West Nile virus if the mosquito is infected with it.

    Signs & Symptoms

    Most people who get the virus will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 persons will get mild ones (West Nile fever). Symptoms usually occur 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. See doctor for the following:

    *  Fever.

    *  Headache.

    *  Body aches.

    *  Skin rash on the trunk of the body (sometimes).

    *  Swollen lymph glands (sometimes).

    About 1 in 150 persons get symptoms of a severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis). Get Immediate Care for the following:

    *  High fever.

    *  Stiff neck.

    *  Severe headache.

    *  Muscle weakness.

    *  Tremors. Confusion.

    *  Convulsions.

    *  Decreasing level of consciousness.

    *  Paralysis.

    Prevention

    Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Stay indoors at peak mosquito biting times (dawn, dusk, and early evening). Apply an insect repellent with DEET to clothing and exposed skin to last long enough for the times you will be outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors.

    Resources

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    www.cdc.gov

    Student Self-Care book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Banish Biting Bugs

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of female spraying insect repellent on arm.

    Insects like mosquitoes and ticks may annoy you during a summer barbeque or camping trip. But an effective bug repellent does more than avoid an itchy inconvenience. It may help prevent you from getting sick. Mosquitoes and ticks may carry diseases that are dangerous to humans. Many ticks carry Lyme disease and mosquitoes may spread the West Nile and Zika viruses.

    To help keep mosquitoes away, use a repellent that’s been proven safe and effective by the CDC. Look at the label and choose a repellent with one of these active ingredients:

    *  DEET

    *  Picaridin

    *  IR3535

    *  Oil of lemon eucalyptus

    *  Para-menthane-diol

    The CDC recommends tick repellents that have one of the following active ingredients:

    *  DEET (20 to 30 percent): use on skin and clothing, but not under clothing.

    *  Permethrin: use on clothing and gear only.

    In addition to a repellent, there are other ways to avoid bugs:

    *  Avoid wooded and brushy areas when possible.

    *  Walk in the center of trails.

    *  Wear clothing that covers arms and legs.

    *  Minimize time outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

    *  Throw out standing water in tires, buckets, birdbaths or other outdoor items at least once a week.

    *  Do a full-body check for ticks after spending time outside.

    What to do if you spot a tick

    If you find a tick on your skin, it should be removed as soon as possible. Here’s what to do:

    *  Don’t panic.

    *  Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

    *  Pull upward on the tick slowly and evenly. Don’t twist the tick or try to yank it out quickly.

    *  If parts of the mouth remain after you’ve tried to remove it, use the tweezers to try and get them out. If you can’t get them out, leave it alone so the skin can heal.

    *  After you’ve removed the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub.

    *  If the tick is alive, don’t try to crush it. Instead, put it in alcohol or an airtight bag or container. You can also wrap it tightly in tape or flush it down the toilet.

    *  Ticks can also be removed by your doctor if you can’t get it out yourself.

    *  If you’ve been bitten by a tick, contact your doctor for follow-up care.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Zika Virus: What To Know

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Infograph showing the zika virus.

    According to the CDC, Zika has not yet been spread by mosquitoes in the U.S., but cases have been reported here. These occurred in people who recently traveled to one of the known Zika areas.

    Graph showing symptoms of zika virus.

    Treatment

    At this time, there is no vaccine for Zika.

    *  Rest

    *  Drink water

    *  Take medications for pain and fever

    *  Call your doctor

    Prevention

    *  Use an insect repellent regularly on yourself and your children. Use one registered with the EPA.

    *  Wear light-colored clothes that cover as much of your body as possible.

    *  Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are sleeping outside or not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

    *  Get rid of standing water. This is where mosquitoes breed. Cover rain barrels and other containers that store water.

    *  Protect windows and doors with screens or mosquito nets. Use air conditioning, if possible.

    *  If you’ve recently been to a known Zika area, are pregnant or are having symptoms of Zika, call your doctor.

    Sources: World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine