Pediatrician Mihai Craiu draws attention, in a educational post on the Facebook page of the Virtual Children’s Hospital, that the temperature changes in Romania, in recent decades, have facilitated, along with other non-meteorological causes, the process of constant increase in the number of mosquitoes, the number 1 enemy globally.
According to the doctor, the effect was obvious: diseases considered exotic began to appear in our country, diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, including West Nile infection in children. Although West Nile infection is asymptomatic in over 80% of cases, some children can develop meningitis.
Learn more about the warning signs parents should be aware of, what works and what doesn’t work against mosquitoes.
West Nile infection in children: what symptoms occur
West Nile is a type of virus spread by mosquitoes. Many times, people live with the infection but don’t know they have it. In rare cases, West Nile leads to meningoencephalitis, a severe disease that affects the brain or spinal cord.
Also read: Meningitis can be prevented by vaccination. What are the causes and symptoms of meningitis
“The World Health Organization estimates that half of the world’s population is at risk of being affected by a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. In other words, mosquitoes are enemy number 1 globally. Much more dangerous than vipers, bears or sharks…”, says Dr. Mihai Craiu.
Among the warning signs that parents should not ignore in children bitten by mosquitoes are:
“If the child was exposed to mosquitoes, a few days ago, and there is a high fever, headache or back pain, vomiting in a jet, apparently for no reason, it is NOT good!!! Go to your doctor or the Emergency Department immediately. These are signs that can be found in meningitis.
(…) I had a new patient at the hospital whose mother I talked to about mosquitoes, West Nile and severe illness. It is the scenario of a 3-year-old boy with dehydration and vomiting that got progressively worse until he became very limp and unresponsive to stimuli.
In the end, with the appropriate treatment for his situation, the child improved visibly, during the few hours he was stabilized in the Emergency Department at the Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health”, said Dr. Mihai Craiu.
How to protect ourselves from mosquito bites
The pediatrician also draws attention to some anti-mosquito solutions that can have serious effects on children’s health.
Dr. Craiu mentions, among other things, essential oils, which could cause, especially in infants, serious irritation of the airways and even bronchospasm.
What works against mosquitoes
Repellent solutions with DEET – Diethyltoluamide. In concentration of at least 20% it works very well. Avoid those with a concentration over 50% as they can have toxic effects. At low concentrations (10-30%) these repellents could be used even in infants. If the infant is more than 2 months old. Solutions with IR3535 (insect repellent 3535). It is the most frequently used repellent against insects, because it has a very good safety profile, being allowed to be used by pregnant women or infants. Thin clothes with long sleeves or covering the largest skin surface.
What does not work against mosquitoes
Repellent bracelets. Maybe it would work if you want only the skin under the bracelet to be safe?! Ultrasound devices. It could possibly chase away…crickets (say the experts). Light traps that trigger electric arcs against insects that come into contact with these lamps. In the end we would attract more mosquitoes in the vicinity of that lamp. Citronella scented candles. Like no other scented candle… The essential oils that are promoted for this purpose. Such as lemongrass, cedar, eucalyptus, mint, lavender, camphor, etc. About camphor and those containing phenol (the essential oils of eucalyptus and peppermint) it should be stated that they could cause, especially in infants, serious irritation of the airways and even bronchospasm. Not garlic. Neither eaten nor rubbed on the skin!
2023-06-27 17:20:40
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