Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
By Willie Crawford
As an avid garden, who spends many hours outdoors, I can't help but notice those pesky mosquitoes! In fact they sometimes drive my wife and I inside for a reprieve. She retrieves because of the pain, me... because I know that mosquitoes kill more people than any other single creature on the PLANET!
Here are some mosquito-borne diseases and how they affect humans:
Malaria
Caused By: Plasmodium parasites transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Effects: Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, nausea, and body aches. In severe cases, it can lead to seizures, organ failure, and death.
During my 20+ year military career, I traveled to numerous places where malaria pills were NOT an option!
Dengue Fever
Caused By: Dengue virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
Effects: High fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, skin rash, and mild bleeding. Severe cases can progress to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome, which can be fatal.
While I never had it, I had two different virtual assistants in the Philippines who came down with it, and both basically just felt like sleeping for a few days!
Chikungunya
Caused By: Chikungunya virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
Effects: Symptoms include fever and severe joint pain, often in the hands and feet. Although mortality is low, the joint pain can be debilitating and last for weeks or months.
Zika Virus
Caused By: Zika virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
Effects: Often asymptomatic or mild symptoms like fever, rash, and joint pain. However, if contracted by pregnant women, it can cause birth defects such as microcephaly in the unborn child.
This one WAS detected in my part of the U.S. YEARS ago!!!
Yellow Fever
Caused By: Yellow fever virus transmitted by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes.
Effects: Symptoms range from mild (fever, headache, nausea) to severe, leading to jaundice, hemorrhage, and multi-organ failure.
The military required that I be vaccinated against this one once ever 10 years. Given that I've now been retired for over 20 years, I should probably get another booster... especially since I can get one free at a military clinic about 20 minutes from my house.
West Nile Virus
Caused By: West Nile virus transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes.
Effects: Most people are asymptomatic. However, about 20% of people develop symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches. Less than 1% develop severe neurological symptoms like encephalitis or meningitis.
This one WAS detected in my part of the U.S. YEARS ago!!!
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Caused By: EEE virus transmitted by Culiseta melanura mosquitoes.
Effects: Many people remain asymptomatic or have mild flu-like symptoms. Severe cases can lead to encephalitis, which can be fatal or result in lasting neurological damage.
Japanese Encephalitis
Caused By: Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes.
Effects: Most cases are asymptomatic, but severe cases can cause high fever, headache, and neurological symptoms such as paralysis and seizures.
This one often causes swelling in the brain stem, and I was REQUIRED to be vaccinated against it while in the military... and frequented places where it was prevalent.
Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
Caused By: Filarial worms transmitted by various mosquito species.
Effects: Initially asymptomatic but can lead to severe lymphedema and elephantiasis, where limbs become extremely swollen.
Ross River Virus
Caused By: Ross River virus transmitted by several mosquito species.
Effects: Symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, and rash. It usually resolves on its own but can last for several months.
These are just some of the diseases that mosquitoes can transmit. The severity of symptoms and outcomes can vary significantly between individuals.
Preventative measures like mosquito nets, repellents, and vaccines (where available) are critical for reducing the risk of these diseases. Always consult healthcare professionals for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
NOTE: I am not a medical professional, nor do I play one on TV. I share this for informational purposes only. Before acting on anything I write, you should seek advice from competent professionals AND even then, do your own research and due diligence.
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