Newswise — You're not the only one who's survived a long, cold winter. Adult "overwintering" mosquitoes have survived, too, and are waking up this spring after hibernation and are literally blood-thirsty for a good meal.
According to Dr. David Richard, assistant professor of biology at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., these mosquitoes " which have been known to carry the West Nile virus " awake when the weather warms up for a period of time and instinctively seek out a warm-blooded animal for lunch. Richard has conducted research on insect reproductive systems through a National Institute of Health grant.
"Everyone should try to reduce their chances of becoming infected by protecting themselves from mosquito bites," explains Dr. Ronnie B. Martin, D.O., an osteopathic family physician and chair of the department of family medicine at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Richard recommends first getting rid of the standing water that mosquitoes love to call home. "Tires are small enough and attractive for mosquitoes because there are very few predators, like the fish in streams or ponds," he says. "Anything that collects water for a number of days " like a kiddie pool " is a source of infestation. Keep tires under cover and bring in anything that could collect water. It really doesn't take much."
When you're outside, take some precautions to avoid getting bitten.
"Mosquitoes tend to hunt at dawn or dusk, so you should avoid being outside at those times," says Richard. "If you have to be out, you can avoid being bitten by making sure you wear the protective clothing and spray yourself with insect repellent."
The Center for Disease Control has found repellents containing DEET to be the safest repellent for preventing mosquito bites. However, scientific studies have not found a unanimously safe concentration of DEET for children. Martin reports that while most safety guidelines state children over two-years-old can use repellent with DEET, the American Academy of Pediatrics has also found it acceptable to apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET to infants over two months.
If you are bitten, the symptoms of West Nile Fever or West Nile Virus will develop in three to 14 days. Symptoms of the West Nile Fever will commonly last a few days, but symptoms of the Virus can last several weeks and can have permanent neurological effects, says Martin.
Approximately 20 percent of the people who become infected will develop West Nile Fever.
According to Martin, symptoms of the Fever are mild. "You may have a fever, headache, body aches, occasional skin rashes or swollen lymph glands," he says. Symptoms of West Nile Virus are similar to the fever, but can also include disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Dr. Martin advises infected individuals experiencing these symptoms consult their primary physician immediately.
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