In the UK, it is highly unlikely that you will contract a serious disease from a mosquito and they could be considered more of an irritation than a danger. Several species of mosquito are capable of transmitting pathogens and bloodborne diseases. However, cases of dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever are very rare in the UK and the large majority of reported cases were contracted while abroad. Mosquito larvae needs water to develop and therefore mosquitoes can be found near lakes and marshes as well as smaller, stagnant bodies of water. Mosquitoes hibernate and are most active in warm and wet weather.<\/p>\n
Mosquitoes bite to drink blood. A female mosquito has a sharp proboscis (a long sucking mouth part) which pierces the skin and draws blood into its mouth from a blood vessel. While drinking, the mosquito injects an anticoagulant (anti-clotting agent) to stop the blood from clotting. The immune system in the body reacts to a break in the skin\u2019s surface by producing histamine, which causes a swelling around the bite. In addition to increasing blood flow and white blood cell count, the histamine sends a signal to the nerves around the bite, which causes itching and inflammation.<\/p>\n
The most common reaction to a mosquito bite will be a raised, itchy bump that can be treated with over-the-counter cream and will heal naturally within a few days.<\/p>\n
The normal symptoms you might expect from a mosquito bite are:<\/p>\n
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If you have a weakened immune system, your body may react more severely to a mosquito bite. Elderly people, children, pregnant women and any person with a weakened immune system are more prone to developing moderate symptoms. Consult with a doctor at Ahmey\u2019s if any of the moderate symptoms persist beyond a few days. Prolonged illness following a mosquito bite could indicate a bacterial infection or a more serious bloodborne disease.<\/p>\n
Moderate reactions that you might expect from a mosquito bite are:<\/p>\n
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Severe symptoms indicate that you may have had an allergic reaction to the bite. Equally, serious symptoms could suggest that you have contracted a bloodborne disease like zika, yellow fever or malaria.<\/p>\n
Serious reactions that you might expect from a mosquito bite are:<\/p>\n
Additional possible symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal<\/p>\n
In the unusual event that a bite causes symptoms of a severe reaction, you will need immediate emergency care. If your bite is showing signs of being infected, or you are experiencing moderate reactions that persist beyond a few days, we recommend that you contact Ahmey\u2019s and make an appointment to see a doctor. If the bite is incredibly swollen, the doctor might prescribe a topical cream or oral medication to reduce swelling. If the bite is infected, the doctor may also potentially prescribe antibiotics.<\/p>\n
Mosquito bites do not usually require medical treatment. If you experience any moderate symptoms, symptoms that indicate an infection, or symptoms that indicate you may have contracted a bloodborne disease, contact Ahmey\u2019s to make an appointment. If you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, you will need immediate emergency treatment. Any mild discomfort can be treated by the patient themselves in the ways shown below.<\/p>\n
First aid for mosquito bites:<\/p>\n
Below are some precautions that you can take to avoid the likelihood of \u00a0being bitten:<\/p>\n
Mosquito Bites In the UK, it is highly unlikely that you will contract a serious disease from a mosquito and they could be considered more of an irritation than a danger. Several species of mosquito are capable of transmitting pathogens and bloodborne diseases. However, cases of dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever are very rare […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1964,"parent":1695,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n