Mosquito bites are not to be taken lightly. Most diseases are spread from the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause serious medical problems. The most common medical problems caused by mosquito bites are dengue, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Zika.
It’s important to protect yourself when you’re in the backyard during the summertime or any time of the year when there’s a rise in mosquitoes. Even though most people don’t get sick after a mosquito bite, they might experience short-term or long-term illness. Workers are especially at risk when they’re outside in an area where mosquitoes flourish. Read on to learn more about these serious medical problems and why it’s important to take proactive measures to combat the mosquito issue in your yard or outdoor area.
1. West Nile Virus
West Nile virus has become an unfortunate mainstay in the U.S. except for Alaska and Hawaii. At first, you may not realize that you have any symptoms. Most people experience diarrhea, fever, joint pain, rash, and vomiting. It can also lead to serious complications in the brain, referred to as encephalitis or meningitis. Currently, there is no vaccine for this disease.
2. Zika
Zika normally starts with mild symptoms. Some of them include fever, joint pain, rash, and red eyes. This is a threat to pregnant women since it can spread to their babies. It’s linked to a birth defect known as microcephaly, which causes a small-sized head and brain damage. Mosquitoes often spread this medical problem in South and Central America, Southeast Asia, and Brazil.
3. Malaria
Malaria is common in South America, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Symptoms include chills, fever, headache, and vomiting. If you happen to work in an area that warns about the spread of Malaria, you should take an anti-malaria prescription medication and sleep with nets treated with insecticide. Not only will it protect you from mosquitoes, but it will prevent bites.
4. Yellow Fever
The meaning behind yellow fever is that it turns your skin a jaundiced color. Your eyes may also appear yellow in color as well. Other symptoms include back pain, chills, headache, and vomiting. If you travel to work in Africa and Latin America, you should get a vaccine to protect against yellow fever.
5. Dengue
This medical problem is last on the list since it’s rare in the U.S. It’s commonly found in Latin America, the Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia. Symptoms include bleeding gums, bruising, headache, fever, and rash. Dengue can also cause hemorrhagic fever, which is fatal. The FDA approved a vaccine for individuals aged 9-16 who were infected by dengue to prevent other diseases caused by it.
These are just some of the serious medical problems you should be aware of when you travel for work. With education and awareness, you can prevent pesky mosquito bites from becoming a bigger problem later in life. You should also wear long sleeves and carry mosquito repellent whenever traveling to affected areas. Furthermore, staying up-to-date with recommended vaccinations is crucial to safeguard your health while on business trips.
