Remembering Your Health and Finance

If ever there was such a small life form that has spread so much misery, it is hard to think of anything that outranks the mosquito. While most associate itchy bites with the buzzing, there are far worse things that can happen.

Mosquitoes are perfect disease host. They transfer diseases by piercing skin and injecting numbing saliva. This injection process also sends along whatever bacteria, virus and other nasties they are carrying.

In South America, Asia and Africa, mosquitoes are feared because the transport the Malaria disease. It is a huge problem. Hundreds of millions of cases occur each year, and there appears to be no let up in the future.

Malaria is caused by a parasite. When a bite occurs, it heads to the liver and then reproduces. In good cases, it causes fatigue, expulsions, shakes, fever, and general misery. Dehydration is a major problem and death can occur.

Mosquitoes also spread the feared Dengue Fever. It used to be found in a few locations, but has now spread throughout Africa and Asia on the mosquito transport system. Dengue Fever can cause misery and a horrible death.

Dengue Fever is actually a collection of four viruses. When they are injected into the body by the mosquito during the bite, they immediately attack the body. Symptoms include high fever, bleeding from orifices and gums and general misery.

Encephalitis is a nasty disease transported by the mosquito host as well. It is a viral infection that severely impacts the brain by causing inflammation. The brain literally swells until it is damaged when crushed up against the skull.

Yellow Fever is yet another wicked disease carried by mosquitoes. It is a virus transferred during the mosquito bite. In most cases, it results in fever and vomiting for a three to four day period and that is all. In roughly 15 percent of the cases, it can be much worse.

For the unlucky people that fall within this percentage, Yellow Fever is horrific. High temperatures do not go away. The body literally turns yellow and you bleed from orifices including the eyes. Half of those with this version die within two weeks.

The list of horrific diseases spread by mosquitoes is practically endless. There are few cures. To fight back, the only really effective strategy has been to go after mosquitoes. As long as the effort is consistent, it has been shown to work.

Locally, you can do something to protect yourself. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Make sure there is none around you. If they can’t breed, they can’t spread disease.