Mosquito bites are seldom considered pleasant. In fact, depending on your particular reaction, they are quite unpleasant. The result can range from annoying itching to extremely painful. For some folks, a mosquito bite isn’t just a nasty irritation; it can mean a very serious illness.

Most areas in the world don’t’ really have to be worried about most of these diseases because they affect large populations elsewhere. But remember that just because you live in an area where these diseases are rare, it doesn’t guarantee they won’t be contracted.

In order to survive and reproduce, the female mosquito needs to drink blood. They have specially designed mounts, able to pierce the skin and directly ingest blood. Just like a disease can enter your body through the using of dirty needles, the diseases can be carried via the mosquito from one host to another. Odd, but the mosquito is actually immune to these diseases it spreads; but the animals and people it bites are not.

Malaria is most commonly known and one of the most dangerous diseases spread by the mosquito. It is actually a parasite that infects the liver and eventually spreads to the blood. Without treatment, malaria causes major organ damage and on occasion, death. While it is preventable and treatable, 300 million people are infected, and one million people die of it every year, because treatment is not readily available all around the world.

The most commonly known and dangerous disease spread by mosquitoes is malaria. This is a parasite that infects the liver and eventually spreads to the blood. If left untreated, it can cause major organ damage and even death. While it is preventable and treatable, 300 million people are infected and 1 million people die of it every year around the world because the treatment is not readily available.

A less known disease is dengue fever. There are different types of this disease and symptoms vary from a simple skin rash to uncontrollable bleeding and death. The fatality rate is low and there is no cure. The range of this disease is growing and expanding each year as mosquitoes adapt to new climate areas around the globe.

Some illnesses caused by mosquitoes are quick acting, however others, like elephantiasis affects the victim during their entire life. Children in areas of Africa and India most often contract the disease, but most children don’t develop the symptoms.

Instead, the disease slowly damages the kidneys and lymphatic systems as they grow. Symptoms, including damage to the extremities and reproductive organs begin to appear once the child reaches adulthood.

West Nile Virus is rare, but is becoming an increased threat in all countries; even those which are developed. The disease causes few or no symptoms and in 90 percent of the people who contract it, it can still make others severely ill causing fatigue, pain, shaking, and possible death. The effects of the disease stay with the patient long after the main symptoms are gone.

While still fairly rare, West Nile virus has become an increasing threat even in developed countries. While the disease causes few or no symptoms in 90% of the people who contract it, it can make others severely ill causing fatigue, severe pain, shaking, and possibly death. The effects of the disease can affect patients long after the symptoms are gone.

Is there a way to avoid these bites? Yes. And although most of these diseases can be treated easily, the best cure is to never have been bitten at all. If you are going to be in an outside area where there is water or forested areas, be certain to take a good mosquito repellent along whenever you are going outside, especially in watery or forested areas. If you are going to be around your house and in the yard, put out citronella candles and other insect repellent. Also eliminate all standing water from your yard by eliminating birdbaths, rain gutters, and standing water in ponds.