It is a documented fact that across the world a child dies of a disease spread by mosquitoes every 30 seconds. Mosquitoes are known to carry a hoard of very traumatic and crippling diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Lymphatic Filariasis, West Nile, Yellow fever etc. to name a few. Let's take a look at the major disease spread by mosquitoes that plague the Indian Sub-continent.
Malaria: Caused by parasitic protozoans of the plasmodium type and carried by the female anopheles, mosquito, malaria is the number one cause of deaths caused by insect borne diseases across the world. Malaria has no known vaccination yet and is known to bemuse resistant to drugs meant for treating the infection. The classical signature symptoms of malaria are sudden bouts of coldness, fever, shivering and sweating. Anti-Malarial drugs are readily and easily available in India. However only once malaria is confirmed with a relevant blood test should the treatment for Malaria be started.
Dengue: Carried by the Aedes Aegypti genus of mosquitoes, dengue is traumatic disease especially for kids. Symptoms of dengue include high fevers, rashes the skin, low platelet count, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, low blood pressure and heart rate etc. Mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus usually bite at dawn and dusk. There is no available vaccine or treatment available for dengue as yet. The treatment for dengue is symptomatic. Light nutritious meals, lots of rest and fluids help faster recovery.
Chikungunya: Caused by the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus genus of mosquitoes, chikungunya while not fatal can be very crippling given its classic symptoms of severe joint pains. Most symptoms of chikungunya are similar to that of dengue and can easily be misdiagnosed unless confirmed with appropriate blood tests. Similar to dengue, even chikungunya doesn't have a vaccination or medicines for treatment and its treatment again is symptomatic like that of dengue. Younger Kids and aged people are more susceptible to the infection. Additionally, while the infection clears in 7-10 days, the joint pains can take much longer to subside.
Zika: It is a rather new entrant in the Indian Sub-continent and had the country put on high alert for a possible epidemic. Zika virus can be spread by mosquito bites, blood transfusions, sex and vertically from pregnant mother to the child. Zika is rather difficult to diagnose with its clinical symptoms due to its symptoms being similar to many of its mosquito borne counterparts. Only a proper blood report can confirm a Zika infection for sure. Zika is not known to be fatal and its symptoms are much milder compared to its counterparts. Since Zika is relatively new, limited research is available on it, meaning that it doesn't have a vaccination or cure as yet.
The best and simplest way to keep mosquito borne diseases at bay is to take preventive measures to curb mosquito breeding and use of adequate mosquito protection. Especially when it comes to children one can never be too careful and should use effective mosquito protection all year around.
