Whenever you take a flight or cruise on a holiday or vacation to tropical climates it is possible that you might encounter mosquito borne diseases. The following info will help you take measures to protect yourself.
Mosquitoes are a major cause of a number of serious diseases throughout the world. Five of the most common mosquito-borne diseases are Malaria, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Fever.
Malaria, by far, is the most common of these diseases that are caused by mosquitoes, and can be fatal. Well over a million people die from this disease world wide each year. However, only female mosquitoes and not males transmit this disease.
When an infected female mosquito bites a human to feed she deposits parasites into their bloodstream. The parasite’s eggs incubate and mature in the person’s liver and then attack the individual’s blood cells.
An anti-malaria prescription can be taken to help protect you when traveling on vacation in mosquito infested tropical climates. But to receive maximum protection, this medication should be taken before, during, and after your trip. However, these pills aren’t always completely effective.
Pharmaceutical drugs such as Chloroquine, Mefloquine, Fansidar, and Doxycycline, can be prescribed to treat malaria, but they aren’t always totally effective. Ask your physician 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 a vaccination from the doctor at your local health authority before you travel on your holidays. The vaccination lasts approximately ten years. It is very effective.
Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that’s transmitted through a bite from an infected mosquito. This disease can be prevented with a series of three vaccinations.
Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. There is no vaccination to prevent this disease.
West Nile Virus is also spread by infected mosquitoes. There’s no vaccine to protect you from this disease.
Keep in mind that when it comes to serious mosquito-borne diseases, prevention is always better than a cure, even if there is one. It is always best to limit the chance of being bitten and infected by mosquitoes in the first place. You should always wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and slacks and use a DEET containing insect repellent when mosquitoes become active near dusk. Also, be sure to kill all the mosquitoes in your room before going to sleep, and use mosquito nets and coils when camping or sleeping outdoors.
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