Every summer when the mosquitoes arrive for their annual summer feasting, the same dreadful thought arrives with them: What about West Nile virus? And every year I push the thought out of my mind because clearly the mosquitoes are winning. But when was the last time you actually heard of someone contracting West Nile Virus?
How about this toddler from Dallas: Olivia Lalicker came down with a fever around the same time her parents noticed some mosquito bites on her face and tested positive for West Nile. It turns out the fever wasn't even related to the virus, though. In fact, she didn't show any symptoms of the virus at all. Does that mean it's not really that big of a deal? Have we been worrying over nothing?
That would be swell! It's hard enough for adults to keep the mosquitoes away -- keeping your kids skeeter-free is even harder. I've always struggled with this dilemma. Spray my kid down with potentially toxic but invincible bug spray, or use the weak herbal stuff and risk West Nile? Or just give up because, man, constantly spraying your kids with stuff all summer long is a pain and you're already struggling to keep up with the sunscreen?
There are a few less-toxic bug sprays out there that I feel safe applying to a child. Bite Blocker works for us, but it's kind of sticky and smelly. Skin-So-Soft is almost as good and smells better. And then there's wearing long sleeves and pants ... a total non-solution since bugs will bite right through anything light enough to actually wear in the summer.
But apparently West Nile is not that big a deal. Who knew? Unless you have other health issues or are over 50 (i.e. not a healthy toddler), if you get the virus, you probably won't even get sick. Phew! Because I don't know about you, but even though I know the mosquitoes are hanging around for at least another month, I am SO OVER chasing down repellent-repelling kids. Aren't you?
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Do you use bug repellent on your toddler? What kind do you use?
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Comments 50
Buzz Away is a really good all natural safe mosquito repellant that works. Also, tuck a fabric softener sheet in you pocket for skeeter repelling. Doesn't matter what brand -- cheapy store brand works just as well as name brand.
Peppermint lotion works really well too. An oncologist told me once to only buy the "kid" or "family" bug sprays and never leave them on for more than 4 hours.
Ya know, there is a West Nile vaccine... for horses! No reason there shouldn't be one for people to.
And just because not everyone is symptomatic doesn't mean that YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN will be so lucky.
I work with a child who has transverse myelitis (you can google the term) and is now quadraplegic - caused directly by the West Nile virus.
Adriana Velez: SHAME ON YOU for telling people it is nothing to worry about.. you aren't a health care professional and ZERO educational background to make these statements!
Reference this: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm According to the CDC, 54% of the West Nile cases reported this year ARE neuro-invasive - meaning that it causes meningitis and encephalitis. There have been MORE reported cases of West Nile this year than ANY year since 1999.
I agree with Mander It's a pretty serious thing now everyone will stop worying about becaus eteher favorite blogger said it's not much to worry about ! Maryland just reported a Death due to West nile Virus
i live in massachusetts, and a co-worker of mine has a little 4 year old grand daughter named Emery, who has contracted EEE, and is in the ICU on her death bed. Lesson learned, you can't get away problem free every time.
it is a concern thanks for the dryer sheet tip
I've used Skin-So-Soft and Bug Off! but nothing seems to keep the bugs off my daughter. We had a barbeque and she was sprayed down twice and she is covered in bites. She couldn't sleep for two days because she was so itchy.