The mosquito is a major cause of many serious diseases throughout the world. Five of the most widely known mosquito-borne diseases are Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus.

Malaria, by far, is the most common of these diseases that are caused by mosquitoes, and can be fatal. Well over a million people die from this disease world wide each year. However, only female mosquitoes and not males transmit this disease.

When infected female mosquitoes bite people they deposit parasites into their bloodstreams. These parasites deposit eggs that incubate and grow in the peoples' livers and then attack their red blood cells.

There's an anti-malaria drug that can be taken to help protect you when traveling on vacation in mosquito infested tropical climates. For you to receive maximum protection, this medication should be taken before, during, and after your trip. However, these pills may not always be completely effective.

Pharmaceutical drugs such as Chloroquine, Fansidar, Mefloquine, and Doxycycline, can be prescribed to treat malaria, but again, they are not always completely effective. Ask the doctor more about the dosage and length of time that you should take any of these prescription medications.

You can protect yourself from yellow fever by getting a vaccination from the doctor at your local health authority before you travel on your holidays. The vaccination lasts approximately ten years. It is very effective.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by being bitten by an infected mosquito. The disease can be prevented by a series of three vaccinations.

Dengue fever is a viral disease that's spread by mosquitoes. There's no vaccination that will prevent this disease.

West Nile Virus is also spread through infected mosquitoes. At present there's no vaccine to protect you from this disease.

Always keep in mind that when it comes to the serious mosquito-borne diseases, prevention is always better than a cure, even if there is one. It's always best to limit the chances of being bitten and infected by mosquitoes in the first place. You should always wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and slacks between the hours of dusk and dawn and apply a DEET containing insect repellent when mosquitoes become active near dusk. Always kill all the mosquitoes in your room before going to sleep, and use mosquito netting and coils when camping or sleeping outdoors.

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