If you take the time to read up on all the deadly diseases that can be found just outside your door, you probably would never go outside. It is that scary. West Nile Virus is hardly the most dangerous of threats, but it is still plenty deadly.
What is West Nile Virus? It is actually a form of a really nasty virus that has been around for some time. It is Japanese Encephalitis. Both illnesses usually carry minor symptoms, but can be deadly in a small number of cases.
If you live in an area with mosquitoes, you may have been infected with West Nile and not even know it. Why? In many cases, the body can defeat it without any symptoms even being apparent.
Following the incubation period, the infected person can expect to experience fever, headache, chills, excessive sweating, weakness, swollen lymph nodes and drowsiness. A rash and gastrointestinal problems can arise as well.
Even in these bad cases, most people will start to recover after a couple of weeks. For a very unfortunate few, however, the spinal cord and brain can be infected. Death can result, but is not definite.
Given the name, most people view West Nile Virus as one of those health threats that are third world countries. While this is true, many first world countries have the problem. The United States is certain included in this group.
The figures are probably going to surprise you. West Nile came on the scene in 1999, but only 18 people died from it during the next three years. That number jumped to 284 in 2002. Now a bit more than 100 a year suffer this fate.
Surviving West Nile is all about not getting it. While birds carry it around the world, mosquitoes actually infect humans. How? The mosquitoes bite both birds and humans, which transfers the virus.
To break the chain of transport, you should go after those buzzing bugs. Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce. Eliminate it and they will disappear. In the meantime, wear insect repellent to hold them off.
Mosquitoes are the carriers of misery and death. The list of diseases they carry is simply appalling. Even if West Nile does not concern you, wiping out mosquitoes in your area should be a goal.
About the Author:
John Grimmes is with AllTerrainCo.com - makers of natural first aid supplies for when you get bumps, cuts and bruises when playing outdoors.
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