When On Vacations Or Holidays Look Out For Mosquitoes
Written by Dorothy Yamich on November 1st, 2009
Whenever you take an air flight or luxury cruise on holidays or vacation to tropical climates there is a chance that you may encounter a few mosquito borne diseases. We hope this following information will help when taking 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 is the most common of these diseases caused by mosquitoes, and can be fatal. Over a million people die from this disease around the world each year, but only female mosquitoes transmit this disease.
If an infected female mosquito bites you she will deposit parasites into your bloodstream. The parasite’s eggs incubate and grow in your liver and then attack your red 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, 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 being bitten by an infected mosquito. The disease can be prevented by 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.
Please 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 the best policy to limit the chance of being bitten and infected by mosquitoes in the first place. Always wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and slacks between dusk and dawn and use a DEET containing insect repellent when mosquitoes become active near dusk. Be sure to kill all the mosquitoes in your room before going to sleep, and use mosquito nets as well as coils when camping or sleeping outdoors.
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This entry was posted on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 7:41 am and is filed under Health, Recreation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Tags: campers, dengue fever, Health, holiday, Holidays, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, mosquitoes, travel, traveling, vacation, vacationing, Vacations, west Nile virus, yellow fever
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