Can You Get Diseases From Mosquitoes?
WouterViruses and parasites can be carried by mosquitoes and can cause a number of diseases. Some of these are serious and can result in life threatening illness. Other infections are less severe and can cause headache, chills and backache.
Infected mosquitoes can also carry viruses that can cause malaria. Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. It infects red blood cells and multiplies in the liver. The most common symptoms include chills and a headache. There are certain treatments available for this disease.
Another mosquito-borne disease is West Nile virus. This infection is caused by the Culex species of mosquitoes. These are medium sized mosquitoes that bite at dusk. They can transmit the virus to people and animals. Symptoms of West Nile fever may include fever, body rash, tiredness, and swollen lymph glands.
Other viruses transmitted by mosquitoes are Dengue virus, Zika virus, and malaria. These viruses can cause mild to severe illnesses, including diarrhea, joint pain, and a rash. Some types of these viruses can cause brain infections, called encephalitis.
The most common type of mosquito in the United States is the Culex quinquefasciatus. These mosquitoes feed on vertebrates and other animals. They are commonly known as house mosquitoes.
These mosquitoes live in warm and moist areas. They breed in standing water and lay their eggs in it. They have long, tubular mouth parts for sucking up fluids.
They can home in on their warm-blooded host by looking for dark objects. They also use carbon dioxide to enter the body.
