Tips to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito born infection, like the ZIKA virus!!

This great question comes from a lovely friend and she asks:

Dear Dr. Deena,

I am planning on traveling to India. How can I protect myself from mosquitoes? 

NB

Don't worry, NB, I got your back. There's nothing I hate more than mosquitoes! Mainly because I have a severe allergy to their bites. 

I consider mosquitoes as one of the deadliest animals because they can carry a host of illnesses - like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, etc. Just look at all the chaos they have caused with the Zika virus. It may be years until pregnant females (or those considering pregnancy) can safely travel to Mexico and the Caribbean again! :(

Here are some tips to prevent mosquito bites (and ultimately diseases transmitted via mosquitoes):

-Use air condition when possible, and keep windows/doors closed when you can

-Make sure that if you do keep windows or doors open -- that there is always a screen in front of the window/door to keep mosquitoes outside

-If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home, consider sleeping under a mosquito net

-Mosquitoes love stagnant water bc thats where they breed. Avoid areas with stagnant water (swamps, ponds, lakes, marshes, junk yards, etc.)

-Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when possible

-Wear socks when possible to cover your feet

-Use insect repellents. I recommend OFF Deep Woods. 
Spray repellent on all exposed areas

-Treat clothing with permethrin or consider purchasing permethrin-treated clothing

-Avoid being outside when its dark, most mosquitoes feed during the night (though every species has different preferences for feeding time)

-Mosquitoes love scent, so avoid wearing fragrance (scented perfume, body lotions, etc.)

-Wear lighter colors (like white) as mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors (like black)

-Sleep under a ceiling fan or close to a fan. The wind generated from the fan makes it difficult for the mosquitoes to fly 

-I use an electric mosquito swatter to protect myself and highly recommend it! It easily gets rid of mosquitoes that might be flying to fast for you to catch 



I would also recommend finding out whether or not you need to take medications for malaria prophylaxis. This will depend on which area you are traveling to in India...though its recommended in majority of the areas.

Hopefully with these keys to prevention you will be able to prevent nasty mosquito bites and infections!

Please feel free to email me at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com with further questions, comments. 

Follow me on Instagram & Twitter: @Doctor_Deena 


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