3 infectious diseases caused by insect bites

3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES CAUSED BY INSECT BITES

Painful and fatal infectious diseases are spread through insect bites. Knowing how to spot the symptoms and how to reduce your chance of being bitten can save your life and your family’s.

ADVICE ON PREVENTING INSECT BITES

  • Wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers so less skin is exposed. Wear clothes that are neutral colours because some insects are attracted to bright clothing
  • Wear clothing that is made of thick, tightly woven fabrics to prevent insects reaching your skin
  • Use insect repellent such as DEET in your house and on your clothes
  • Avoid bushes in the hottest parts of the day because this is where some insects rest and they will bite if disturbed
  • Use mosquito nets at night so you aren’t bitten while you sleep

Remove things in your home or nearby that mosquitos can lay eggs in. They lay eggs in water that’s not moving. This includes small amounts of rain water that collects in pots, buckets, used tyres, cups, plastic bags outside. Tipping out or covering up water sources will stop mosquitoes laying eggs there.

MALARIA

Malaria is carried by mosquitoes that bite at night (mainly between dusk and dawn).

WHO IS AT RISK?

The highest rates of infection occur in Sub-Saharan African countries. Young children and pregnant women are most at risk. A child dies from malaria in Africa every minute.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms usually develop 7-18 days after being bitten. The initial symptoms are like flu:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Chills (feeling cold and shivering)
  • Being sick/vomiting
  • Muscle pains
  • Diarrhoea

Without treatment, this can lead to symptoms like breathing problems and cause death.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?

Using insecticide-treated mosquito nets over your bed will stop you being bitten at night. Having screens against your windows and using sprays to kill insects in your living and sleeping areas will also increase protection.

DENGUE

Dengue is carried by mosquitoes that bite in the day (mainly between early morning and dusk). These mosquitoes can also carry Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya.

WHO IS AT RISK?

People of all ages are at risk. Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates, in mostly urban areas (towns and cities). The mosquito that causes it is wide spread across Africa.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms appear 4-10 days after you are bitten, and last for 2-7 days

  • High fever
  • Severe headache
  • Pain behind the eyes
  • Muscle and joint pains
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Swollen glands (in your neck, groin or arm pit)
  • Rash

Sometimes people then get Severe Dengue Fever. This is potentially deadly if not treated. Warning signs occur 3–7 days after the first symptoms occur (listed above). Symptoms of this severe form include:

  • The high temperatre dropping slightly
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Persistent vomiting (blood might be in the vomit)
  • Rapid breathing
  • Bleeding gums
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness

The next 24–48 hours are critical. It is essential to seek medical attention. With treatment, most people survive and are cured quickly.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?

It is important to remove man-made things that the mosquitoes can live in. This includes anything that water can collect in such as used tyres and pots. It is important to cover, empty and clean water storage containers on a weekly basis.
There is also a Dengue vaccine that will stop you being infected. This is available in areas where there are extremely high rates of infection.

SLEEPING SICKNESS

Sleeping sickness is carried by the tsetse fly. It can infect humans or livestock. The disease in cattle is called nagana.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Sleeping sickness occurs in 36 sub-Saharan African countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo has the highest number of cases. The people most at risk are those that live in rural areas and depend on agriculture.

SYMPTOMS

The first stage of the disease gives symptoms such as;

  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Joint pain
  • Itching
  • Swollen glands in the neck

In the second stage of the disease, the brain and nervous system is affected. The symptoms in this stage are more obvious;

  • Changes in behaviour
  • Confusion
  • Difficulties with speech
  • Poor coordination
  • Unusual sensations and convulsions
  • Disturbed sleep cycle (you are unable to sleep at night, and sleep through the day

It is much easier to treat people in the first stage of the disease. If you display the symptoms of the first stage, seek medical attention immediately so you can be treated before entering the more dangerous second stage. Without treatment, this disease is fatal.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?

You should take steps to avoid being bitten, particularly if you live in or are visiting rural areas. This includes wearing long light-coloured clothes because the tsetse fly is attracted to bright coloured clothes. Using insecticides and screens in your home will also help. It is important to avoid bushes in the hottest parts of the day because this is where tsetse flies rest.

This article only lists three diseases caused by insect bites, but there are many more. Follow the prevention tips given to reduce the chances of you or your loved ones getting one of these diseases. These include;

  • Removing or covering things that collect water
  • Wearing lng light-coloured clothes to reduce your chances of being bitten
  • Using insecticides and screens in your home

VICTORIA COX

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