Itchy mosquito bites can put a damper on summer fun. The insects also spread viruses like Jamestown Canyon, West Nile, and St. Louis encephalitis.
“Most people who get infected with a virus through a mosquito bite don’t actually have symptoms,” says SSM Health physician assistant Cara Moll, an infectious disease expert who works in travel medicine. “In rare cases, infection with a mosquito-borne virus can lead to something called encephalitis, which is a medical term for inflammation of your brain and that is quite serious.”
Ways to prevent mosquito bites
Moll says we need to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and suggests starting in your yard.
“The best thing you can do is decrease the amount of standing water on your property to keep the mosquito breeding grounds down,” advises Moll.
She recommends:
- keeping trash can lids tight
- cleaning out your gutters
- emptying flowerpots or items that hold water
She says it’s also time to use insect repellent on your body and your clothes.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends using a repellent with either DEET or picaridin in it. SSM Health generally recommends a concentration of a minimum of 20 percent. Some common brand names of repellents containing adequate concentrations of DEET or picaridin include Sawyer, Ben's, OFF!, and Ranger Ready.
If you have a mosquito bite, Moll says you don’t have to get too concerned. Not all mosquitoes are carrying viruses. For most people, the bites are an itchy annoyance that she says can be treated with some topical hydrocortisone.
Symptoms of serious illness from a mosquito bite
“If you develop a serious infection, it generally becomes pretty obvious,” says Moll. "Symptoms of encephalitis can include stiff neck, confusion, agitation, seizures, muscle weakness, trouble with speech, and loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical help fast - call 911 or go to the emergency room right away."
