When You’re on Holidays Protect yourself From Mosquito Bites

The mosquito is a major cause of many serious diseases throughout the world.  Five of the most widely known mosquito-borne diseases are Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus.

Malaria is the most common serious disease caused by mosquitoes. Over a million people die from this disease worldwide each year.

Female mosquitoes deposit their eggs into your bloodstream as they feed on your blood.  These parasite eggs incubate and mature in your liver and then attack your red blood cells.  The first symptoms usually arise within twenty-four hours.  Some symptoms are a high fever, shivers and chills, as well as nausea and vomiting.  This is usually followed by a deep sleep and then a flare up occurs.  If these symptoms repeat themselves every two to three days, you must seek medical attention.  

There’s an anti-malaria drug that can be taken to help protect you when traveling on vacation in mosquito infested tropical climates.  For you to receive maximum protection, this medication should be taken before, during, and after your trip.  However, these pills may not always be completely effective.

Pharmaceutical drugs such as Chloroquine, Doxycycline, Mefloquine, and Fansidar, can be  prescribed to treat malaria, but again, they aren’t always totally effective.  Ask your doctor more about the dosage and length of time that you should take any of these prescription medications. 

You can protect yourself from yellow fever by getting vaccinated by a physician at a local health authority before you travel on your holidays.  This vaccination lasts about ten years and is very effective. 

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito.  This disease can be prevented by a series of three vaccinations.

Dengue fever is a viral disease that’s spread by mosquitoes.  There’s no vaccination that will prevent this disease.

The West Nile Virus is also spread by infected mosquitoes.  There is no vaccine available to protect you from this disease.

Always keep in mind that when it comes to the serious mosquito-borne diseases, prevention is always better than a cure, even if there is one.  It’s always best to limit the chances of being bitten and infected by mosquitoes in the first place.  You should always wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and slacks between the hours of dusk and dawn and apply a DEET containing insect repellent when mosquitoes become active near dusk.  Always kill all the mosquitoes in your room before going to sleep, and use mosquito netting and coils when camping or sleeping outdoors.