Learning about ways to protect my family against West Nile Virus has always been important to me because a mosquito bite landed me in the hospital years ago before I had my oldest son. I became very sick with a viral infection of unknown origins and had to be taken to the emergency room because I was so violently ill.
Due to the fact that the doctors did not know why I was so sick, they ordered a battery of blood tests to get to the bottom of it. When the results came back, I was told that I had Viral Encephalitis and had contracted it due to being bitten by an infected mosquito. This was a shock to me because I had no idea that you could become so ill from a mosquito bite.
The symptoms that I suffered from were almost flu-like. It was the first time that I realized that mosquitoes are not just a nuisance when you are trying to enjoy yourself outdoors. their bites can pass along lasting physical and neurological damage or in rare and tragic cases, even lead to death.
Working or playing outside can expose you and your loved ones to an increased risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus (WNV) or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Although, it is almost Winter here in New York City, I know that many of you live in states where you are still enjoying warm weather and, therefore, still exposed to being bitten by mosquitoes.
The following video from the American Mosquito Control Association shows how just one mosquito bite has impacted the lives of real people like Kim, a mother who lost her 5-year-old daughter Adreanna to EEE and Sean, a father who had to relearn to walk and swallow after he contracted WNV and to this day, can’t walk without a cane or pick up his children.
Through the I’m One Program, the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is committed to educating the public on the dangers of diseases like WNV and EEE. Disseminating this information is especially important because there are no vaccines or treatments available to fight these diseases and they can be lethal to humans.
Tips For Protecting Your Family From Mosquitoes:
- Remove standing pools of water from around your business or home where mosquitoes breed, including environments like old tires, buckets, unused swimming pools, or bird baths.
- Use an EPA-approved mosquito repellent when you spend time outdoors.
- Equip your home with window and door screens.
- Wear protective clothing that covers the skin.
For more information on the “I’m One” Program, visit their website. It only takes one mosquito bite to change a life forever…
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you try to protect your family from mosquito bites?
Disclosure: This sponsored post is being shared as part of the “I’m One” program on behalf of the American Mosquito Control Association and Central Life Sciences. All opinions are 100% my own. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I knew you could get very sick from misquito bites, but I have never known anyone who has had it happen to them. Now I can say I know someone that had it happen to them.
Thanks for this post Maria… I need to better protect myself.
My town here in MA is literally the epicenter of the West Nile outbreak ever summer. We almost never go outside once it gets dark.
That is really scary! I live in the South and mosquitoes are a way of life, you just never think they can make you sick! We always make sure we don’t have any standing water or piles of damp leaves. Since the side of our property is wooded, there’s not a lot more we can do about it other than wear repellants.
We avoid being outside when the mosquitoes are bad. Those little buggers are annoying too.
Thanks for this post. It is so important to keep your family and yourself safe.
Mosquito control is vital
Around here we have to worry about ticks and them passing on diseases also. Those are nasty little buggers.
Mosquitoes can definitely be very dangerous. Living in Florida, we wear a lot of bug repellent in the warm months, for sure.
Wow! That is so sad that we can still be plagued with something like this. I always dump out the water I see in things for this very reason. Where I live, there are tons of mosquitoes so prevention and protection is really important.
I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Thanks for sharing your story and all this good information. How scary.
We make sure no water is left out ever, and we usually use some spray. When the mosquitos are really bad we stay in doors! So sorry you had to deal with this 🙁
Mosquitoes are the worst. A few years ago, we had to spray our yard to get rid of them. We keep bug spray on hand, too, during the spring/summer to try and spare ourselves bites.
You don’t really hear about west nile as much anymore. I always dump out rainwater that gathers in things.
This is a serious topic we constantly deal with in South Florida. We use repellant and eliminate puddles when we can
We don’t really hear much about West Nile up here in Michigan. Where I live its mostly farm and we have a county mosquito control that goes through a few times a season.
That is so scary that such a small insect could cause so much damage to a body. We use repellents every time we go out. We live around a lot of trees and get them frequently in the summer.
I generally try to stay away from areas where mosquitoes like to be–of course this was not always the case and I took a whole lot of chances. I was lucky–Everyone should use mosquito repellant every day-actually they should start putting it in sunscreens!
We just moved from Iowa back to Utah and one of our major reasons was there are so many fewer bugs and mosquitoes here. Thanks for spreading awareness.
There are a lot of mosquitos in our area in the summer. Preventing West Nile as much as possible is definitely one of my priorities.
West Nile is pretty common around my area in the summer. I honestly don’t think about it as much as I should. Thanks for the info!
I have tons of mosquitoes that come out during the summer. They literally swarm at my front door. Nasty!! Thanks for the great info
Great info. It’s crazy to think that a little mosquito can do such damage…
YUCK. We are all allergic to mosquito bites anyways so it is such a pain. I think they know too because they sure like to come after us!
mosquito are always so annoying, sometimes it’s hard to realize they are sucking your blood; I hate them!
I hate mosquitoes they are so annoying. I have worried about West Nile. We try to check around outside for standing water and make sure we dump it out.
This sounds like a great program! What a scary thing to deal with.
Scary to deal with that! We always make sure we empty any sitting waters around the yard.
What an awesome program! How interesting!
Ah! It makes me so scary. We are facing lot of troubles with mosquitoes in all winter seasons. Great information for this season. Thanks for sharing your story and spreading awarness as well.
I remember living in Florida when I first heard of the West Nile Virus. It was quite scary time. I don’t know anyone personally that has died from it. Watching this video is so heartbreaking to me. Very scary how all mosquito needs is a little bit of water to breed!!
No mosquitos in Canada now, but I definitely worry in case we decide to travel to warmer place. West Nile Virus is very dangerous and we should keep our families safe.
Fan R @TeddyOutReady
I’m heading to the Caribbean where they’re rampant down there and I always use mosquito sprays. There are lots of natural ones on the market so you’re not lathering in products not good for you.