Many people consider mosquitoes nothing more than an annoyance. However, these insects may carry diseases that are harmful to humans. This doesn’t take into account the itching that comes with a bite, which is what most people suffer with.
Keeping these insects at bay doesn’t have to be difficult. Before reaching for chemical mosquito repellents though, a person should consider other possible solutions. Many people today opt for organic mosquito control. Why is it important to keep mosquitoes away? What diseases can they transmit to humans?
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus should be of concern to anyone bitten by a mosquito. West Nile fever won’t make people extremely ill, but they may be uncomfortable for a few days. This disease brings about a fever, headache, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. In addition, a person may develop a rash on the trunk of the body if they contract West Nile fever.
Very few people develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease, but older individuals and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk. This disease comes with a high fever and the person infected may have tremors or seizures. Muscle weakness and paralysis have been reported in some patients with WNND, and the infected individual might fall into a coma or die. Doctors can only treat the symptoms, as there is no cure for WNND.
St. Louis Encephalitis
Mosquitoes may transmit St. Louis Encephalitis to humans, and those mosquitoes that are active at night are most likely to carry the disease. The majority of people who contract SLE have very few symptoms if any. These symptoms come on abruptly anywhere from five to 15 days after the bite. Infants and senior citizens are most at risk of contracting encephalitis from a mosquito bite, and doctors can only treat the symptoms. In severe cases, a person might need to be hospitalized.
Symptoms of SLE include headache, nausea, and vomiting. A person who is very ill may become confused and disoriented. Some severely ill patients have tremors or a stiff neck and may fall into a coma. A person should seek medical attention immediately if they think they have SLE.
Malaria
People in America need to worry about malaria today. While it is typically brought into the country by travelers from foreign lands, it is still cause for concern. This disease is serious for those who contract it, and some of these individuals die as a result of their infection. Fortunately, those who do not travel outside of the United States are at very low risk, but they need to watch others who move between countries. Symptoms of malaria include a high fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. If a person suspects they have malaria, they need to seek medical treatment immediately, as antimalarial drugs may be of help in overcoming the infection.
To reduce the risk of contracting one of these diseases, a person must make mosquito control a priority. Many people today turn to organic methods because they don’t want to harm the planet while protecting their health. Learn more today about organic mosquito control to see if this option is right for you.