Can Mosquitoes Make You Feel Sick?
WouterFortunately, most mosquitoes are innocuous and rarely cause you to feel sick. However, they do carry pathogens and disease, which means you should be careful and wear insect repellent when you’re outdoors. Besides, it’s best to prevent mosquitoes from biting you in the first place!
Mosquitoes are tiny insects that live in warm tropical climates. They are most active in the summer. When they bite you, they inject saliva into your bloodstream. The saliva contains proteins that most people are allergic to.
When you’re bitten by a mosquito, your immune system releases chemicals to counteract the pathogens. These chemicals can dilate blood vessels, stimulate melanocytes, and cause redness and bumps on your skin.
Mosquito bites usually go away in a few days. However, if the bite causes you to develop a fever, it’s important to seek medical help. Symptoms may include chills, vomiting, a stiff neck, and headaches. Symptoms may also progress to a more serious condition, such as meningitis.
In some cases, a mosquito bite can lead to a more serious condition, such as skeeter syndrome. This condition is a rare inflammatory reaction that occurs after being bitten by a mosquito. The symptoms can include pain, redness, swelling, and itching.
Skeeter syndrome is very rare and can affect people who have weak immune systems. Most commonly, young children and adults are affected. Symptoms can also include fever, headache, and light sensitivity.
If you experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should seek medical attention immediately.
