One of the most unpleasant parts of spring and summer is when insects come out to play. Most bugs are harmless, if not a little creepy. Ticks and mosquitoes are typically viewed as pests and nuisances that are just a part of life. But the combination of wet weather, poor landscaping, and a lack of caution can lead to some common diseases that are treatable and even curable if caught early enough. What illnesses are we talking about? Keep reading to find out more!
Here are the Four Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Zika: You’ve probably heard of the Zika virus before. Aedes mosquitoes carrying the infection spread it to humans. How do you know that you’ve contracted Zika? You’ll experience symptoms such as fever, rashes, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Although this illness is relatively mild, it is easily transmissible from person to person.
West Nile: West Nile virus is another well-known disease spread by mosquitoes. It can be more difficult to diagnose the presence of West Nile, though. That’s because the symptoms do not present themselves very often. That said, common symptoms include headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes. There’s no vaccine for this disease, either.
Chikungunya: First of all, a note on how this virus is pronounced: chik-en-gun-ye. It’s another illness spread by previously infected mosquitoes. The symptoms begin to show three to seven days after the bite: fevers, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. The first reported cases in the Americas occurred in the Caribbean back in 2013.
Dengue Fever: Dengue fever is another affliction spread by mosquitoes. In this case, the species behind it is Aedes aegypti. Unlike its counterparts, it is most commonly found in the tropical and subtropic areas of the world. Symptoms include high fevers and severe headaches happening together. Others are eye pain, joint pain, muscle pain, bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding. Unfortunately, there isn’t any medication or treatment for dengue. Anyone who has contracted it is advised to go to the hospital. After that, they can manage the discomfort by taking pain relievers and staying hydrated.
And Here are the Two Tick-Borne Illnesses
Lyme Disease: Ticks are becoming more and more common throughout North America. Do what you can to protect everyone in your family – human and animal! Blacklegged ticks are the primary carriers. The infection causes fever, headache, fatigue, and a telltale skin rash called erythema migrans (which looks like a bullseye). Untreated Lyme disease becomes more dangerous since it can affect joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Early detection and aggressive treatment with antibiotics can prevent this worst-case scenario from happening, though.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Finally, let’s talk about Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Also known as RMSF, it is a bacterial disease. The American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog tick are the three most common carriers. Anyone with this fever experiences a nasty combination of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and overall loss of appetite. Immediate medical attention can make a major difference since untreated RMSF quickly becomes life-threatening otherwise.
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On The Green Inc. was established all the way back in 1994. We started out as a small business that served the area around us. In the decades since, though, we’ve expanded tremendously. Incorporation followed in 1997, and our brand has become renowned throughout the state of Maryland. Do you adore social media? Email us at [email protected], call us at 410-695-0444, and find us at our street address: 777 Annapolis Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054. Come grow with us on Facebook, Google, TrustPilot, Yelp, and the BBB!