August is the prime season for biting insects so take precautions
View PDF | Print View
by: Guest
Total views: 168
Word Count: 639
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommends using insect repellents to help minimize the risk. West Nile virus is not a disease transmitted from person to person. Instead, mosquitoes become infected after feeding on the blood of birds or other animals carrying the virus. They spread the disease to humans with their bite, which becomes most potent in early fall.n
West Nile virus was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in New York City in 1999. It since has spread to the 48 contiguous states, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The degree of severity ranges from mild to deadly. People over age 50, along with those having lowered immune systems caused by such things as HIV or cancer therapy, are the most susceptible. About one in every five people infected with the West Nile virus develops symptoms including headaches, fever, fatigue, nausea and a skin rash. About one in every 150 cases results in a severe illness that can cause muscle weakness, a stiff neck, confusion and coma or paralysis. In a few cases, West Nile encephalitis leads to brain damage and death. Nearly 4,300 West Nile cases were reported around the nation last year, with about 1,500 of them having illnesses that had advanced to the encephalitis, meningitis or paralysis stages. One hundred and seventy-seven died, the CDC said.n
A little catnip planted along walkways, some geranium flowering in window boxes and the aforementioned Beautyberry bushes have been said to keep insects at a distance. Landscaping to discourage ticks and their hosts also may provide some crossover benefits in ridding yourself of West-Nile-carrying mosquitoes, said Patrick Guilfoile, head of the Biology Department at Bemidji (Minn.n
Dusk until dawn. Reduce the amount of time spent outdoors when the mosquitoes apt to transmit infectious diseases are most active. Drain standing water. Keep a tidy yard. Mosquitoes need water to reproduce. Overturn such things as stagnant wading pools and pet dishes or saucers beneath potted plants. Clear clogged rain gutters. Haul away discarded tires and other containers that can capture even a few ounces of rainwater. Change the water at least weekly in birdbaths. If you live near blacklegged or deer ticks whose bite is known to convey Lyme disease, then mow lawns short, clear brush and leaf litter away from buildings. Dress appropriately. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in areas frequented by mosquitoes and ticks. Tuck pant cuffs into the tops of your socks or shoes to create a tick barrier. Drape mosquito netting over infant carriers and wear a head net. Avoid dark clothing, which often attracts biting insects. Doors and barriers. Repair screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes and other biting insects from gaining entry into your home. DEET and other insect repellents. Apply insect repellent if you are outdoors for any period of time.n
Joe Conlon, a technical advisor to the American Mosquito Association and a former Navy medical entomologist. Newer blends have a better feel, he said. Several other EPA-approved compounds are available commercially and are proving to be good alternatives to DEET, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. They include picaridin, a synthetic repellent popular in Europe and Australia, and oil of lemon eucalyptus, a natural plant-based repellent. Consult a physician before spraying any insect repellents on children, the CDC suggests. And people over 50 show significantly lower rates repellent use, yet they are at higher risk of getting severely ill if they become infected with the West Nile virus, said Emily Zielinski-Gutierrez, a behavioral scientist with the agency in Fort Collins, Colo. Two things are important when choosing an insect repellent, Conlon said.
Related: August is the prime season for biting insects so take precautions
Additional information:
From www.dailysouthtown.com:
Artemesinin, Chinese Folk Remedy Fights Cancer. Report on recent research by Seattle.
Folk remedy use is universal, occurring in all cultures. Folk remedies have been and still are relied on in the black community.
Includes searchable database by keyword, usage, condition, belief, date, region or ethnicity.
Researchers at the University of Washington have blended the past with the present in the fight against cancer, synthesizing a promising.
One particular folk remedy is that cherries will help relieve the pain associated with arthritis and gout. Some of this clinical work is being done at.
Many of the folk remedies applied were effective because of the medicinal qualities and beneficial substances contained.
Using folk remedies to treat common childhood illnesses may be a cultural phenomenon rather that a result of lack of access.
Gather is a place to connect with people who share your passions. Let your unique voice shine through the articles, images, reviews, or audio you publish.
Rating:
Not yet rated
Comments
No comments posted.
Add Comment
You do not have permission to comment. If you
log in, you may be able to comment.
