Mosquitoes

Seemingly tiny and fragile, mosquitoes can cause huge health problems.

What diseases can you get from mosquitoes?

1) Malaria

This is a fatal disease that is caused by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. It transmits a parasite named Plasmodium falciparum which takes around 10 to 18 days to develop in the mosquito’s body, and can be passed on to other mosquitoes while feeding.

These parasites act by getting into the victim’s system, and attacking the liver. They will start reproducing at a very rapid rate, disrupting the flow of blood throughout the body. These actions will cause the person to develop chills, flu-like symptoms, and severe headaches. Severe infections can cause kidney failure, which can lead to death.

2) Dengue Fever

Still common to this day, dengue is a deadly disease caused by the Aedes mosquito. Its symptoms include high fever, severe headache, dry rash, and joint pain.

Found throughout the Earth’s tropical belt, Dengue is also very common in the Americas, Africa, and other countries in Asia. It is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the Philippines, infecting thousands of people every year. The fever can last up to a week, and can be followed by bruising and bleeding.

According to the CDC, the fatality rate of Dengue fever is around 5 percent. Around 100 million people every year are infected with the disease, and while the fatality rate is low worldwide, not treating it immediately can be fatal. There is no specific cure for Dengue, although doctors and medical professionals recommend hospitalization, drinking fluids regularly, and acetaminophen.

3) West Nile Fever

Like the dengue virus, the West Nile virus is also common in tropical countries. The virus is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected bird, which may then come in contact with a human being. It is highly contagious, being able to spread via bodily fluids such as saliva, phlegm, and even breast milk. 

Symptoms include a stiff neck, headaches, high fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Mild infections shouldn’t cause worry, though sufferers should take care not to let it fester for too long, as it could get worse.

Extreme cases bring about symptoms like convulsions, coma, and can lead to death. The virus can also cause permanent neurological damage to a person.

4) Yellow Fever

This is also caused by Aedes mosquitoes.  The problem with this disease is that it has an incubation period of about a week, and you’ll only notice you have it once it matures.

The symptoms include nausea, fever, and headaches. Unfortunately, there is no cure for it, although one can be vaccinated. If this disease becomes full-blown, symptoms persist and could lead to more serious effects, such as death. Utmost care is called for to manage yellow fever.

5) Zika Fever

This is one of the most recent strains of viruses that can be contracted from mosquitoes. Zika virus is a major health threat, especially to newborn babies.

The Zika virus causes a condition called microcephaly, which causes newborn babies to be born with smaller heads and some developmental problems. The virus is commonly transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It can also spread sexually.

To date, there is no known vaccine for the Zika virus, and the only protection available is by regularly using mosquito repellent. Of course, a strong immune system will also help. 

6) Chikungunya

This is another fever-causing virus that can be contracted from the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sudden fever, joint pain with possible swelling, headache, chills, rash, and lower back pain.

While most patients recover fully, Chikungunya disease can prove fatal.

Findings show that people infected with the virus are still at risk from complications even after the period of acute infection ends, which typically lasts for 14 days post-symptom onset.