Bloodsuckers - Updated

Nope no Twilight post here, however, with the rate of West Nile going up people are starting to really freak out. I am among those people. I do not like being sick and I do like a little bit of outside exposure.

First and for most experts are saying that it will be held back if it doesn't rain a lot. However, with Hurricane Issac rearing his ugly self through the south part of the country, does that mean we could end up like Dallas, Texas? (Link) I am going to take plenty of precautions and I figured I would share with the rest of my followers.

• Dump any standing water on your property
• Use bug spray with DEET
• Wear long sleeve shirts and pants when outside.
• Avoid going outside at twilight (ok so the word is mentioned) and dawn

***Update***

Although deet still ranks as the overall best repellent, several others have compared favorably to it. Picaridin, for instance, works well as a repellent. Permethrin is not technically a repellent since it kills mosquitoes and other bugs, and it should be applied to clothing and gear, not skin, but it too works well to keep mosquitoes from biting. One natural and effective option is lemon eucalyptus oil, though you have to apply it more frequently - Buck Tilton, Backpacking Expert

My neighborhood has been sprayed for mosquitoes. If yours hasn't I strongly suggest writing to your town council or city council and suggesting so. Also check to see if mosquitoes in your area or around your area. Children and elderly people are the ones be affected the most but anyone can be infected.

West Nile virus experts claim that many times the virus passes through people without anyone knowing they have it. Death tolls are starting to rise which means some people have a worse case of the virus. People need to be aware of the symptoms:

The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks. 

Most commonly people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all. So if you are worried after getting a mosquito bite go have blood work done. If I am bitten I will get test and then get a second opinion as well. That's just my own personal feelings though.

West Nile fever is characterized by symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache and sometimes swollen lymph glands and rash. West Nile fever generally lasts only a few days, though in some cases symptoms have been reported to last longer, even up to several weeks. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. (Link)