7 Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes

With only one bite, this little insect can cause you trouble for an uncomfortably long period. On most cases, a mosquito bite can be benign. Small lumps may emerge on the bitten skin, which may itch for a little while and then vanish and disregarded by you. But there are times when a simple mosquito bite may result into something life-threatening. These very small insects consume the blood of the hosts and as they fly from one victim to another, potentially transmitting mosquito-borne diseases. Various kinds of diseases can be obtained from a mosquito bite which could vary from only an annoyance to a grave and alarming illnesses. Exterminating mosquitoes can be rough, but there are particular mosquito control actions which you can take to protect yourself from becoming bitten and refrain from using a mosquito-borne illness.

Below is a list of mosquito-borne ailments and symptoms that you should watch out for:

Zika Virus

Indicators of Zika virus include fever, rash, and pain in the joints and inflammation in the eyes. This disease is extremely dangerous to pregnant women as it can lead to birth defects like microcephaly, which affects the head and brain. Up to date, there’s still no known vaccine for Zika. Pregnant women should steer clear of these areas to prevent coming into contact with the virus or mosquitoes carrying it.

Dengue Virus

Rash, fever, headache, abnormal bruising and bleeding gums are the normal symptoms of this virus. There’s no vaccine for Dengue and if neglected and not treated properly, this virus can cause a hemorrhagic fever that may be quite fatal. It’s ideal to take measures to avoid mosquito bites, especially in areas frequented by the Dengue virus.

West Nile Virus

The majority of the time, people don’t experience symptoms from this virus. On some occasion, this virus may lead to serious complications like encephalitis and meningitis.

Malaria

Commonly found in African nations, Malaria has symptoms like a headache, fever, chills and vomiting. It’s rarely found in the U.S. but if you travel a lot especially in African countries, you might get infected with the disease too. If you’re in a place where this virus is prevalent, it’s highly advised to sleep under a mosquito net, apply insect repellent spray or lotion and spray insecticides in the region to keep the mosquitoes away.

Yellow Fever

Jaundice is due to yellow fever, which can make one’s skin and eyes appear yellowish. There’s a vaccine available to fight off this disease.

Chikungunya

Strong joint pain that in most cases could be severe that could affect one’s movement is the most important symptom of Chikungunya. As there are numerous instances of Chikungunya in Europe and the Americas, this disease is found in Asia and India too. While lots of people recover from this disease, there’s no known cure for Chikungunya.

La Crosse Encephalitis

The majority of the time, symptoms of this illness aren’t noticeable, but it can lead to fever, headache, and nausea. There are around 100 cases of La Crosse Encephalitis reported in the US each year, mainly in the top Midwest, mid-Atlantic and south-west.

Stay Safe

If mosquitoes are active around your area, guard yourself well against being bitten. You should avoid areas where there is stagnant water where mosquitoes may breed. Try to stay inside during the times when these insects are out the most. If you will need to go out, be certain to use a mosquito repellent for your protection.

When you’ve faced with symptoms aside from the itchiness and redness from a mosquito bite, consult a doctor immediately to avoid any further complications.