west nile virus

[mel3]

I started to get a little more nervous when I saw a site showing that all the states surrounding Georgia has cases of the west nile virus. Common sense told me those pesky mosquitos were not just flying right over Ga. enroute to Florida! Now I am nervous because I read in our local newspaper has reported two fatal cases reported in horses right here in my own town! Aside from keeping my children under "house arrest" what can I do? Two of my boys have asthma so naturally I worry about using insect repellent. Do you know of anything on the market that is actually safer than running the risk of contracting the virus?

 

[Philosophic]

Health officials recommend that people avoid areas with still water that are high in mosquito infestation, especially at dawn and dusk, when the insects are most active. Light-colored clothing, pants, long-sleeve shirts and hats are recommended for the outdoors, as well as mosquito repellent.

Most people infected with the virus will not display symptoms, and less than 1 percent of those exposed will develop serious symptoms such as severe headaches, high fever, convulsions and paralysis, health officials said.

People older than 50 and those with compromised immune systems are the most at risk.

That was from the Washington Post, here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13769-2002Aug29.html

There isn't any vaccine or other medicine you or your kids can take (I think there is a vaccine for horses, but none for humans). Have your kids stay indoors when the mosquitos are out, as the article (above) recommends.

== Bill

 

[Blindfaith]

Good morning!  At Walmart I bought insect repellent wipes, not a spray.  It's made by Cutter's, I believe, and they work quite well.  If you can't find them in the repellent section, ask a clerk.  My daughter has asthma, and they don't bother her a bit.

 

~Terri

 

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

I got bit honestly about 50+ times last night at an outdoor concert. I was just covered in those pests. I looke like I have chick pox right now. Probably got the virus 50 times over but I hope my immune system is able to tackle it!

 

[mel3]

Thanks y'all! I didn't know about the light colored clothing. I will surely check into the walmart wipes. Can you tell me does it contain the chemical deet?(I think this is the name, anyway.) I got a little scared a few years back while watching a news show where atleast four children with asthma died due to complications with this chemical. It basically was compared to alcohol poisoning entering the body through the pores in the child's skin. I did know that less than 1% of the carriers are sick enough to even enter into a hospital, so it is probally a very slim chance of contracting west nile and becoming sick enough to show any symptoms at all. Being a parent is alittle scary sometimes. I look forward to the day when Jesus returns and there will never be anymore sickness nor death, don't you????