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?
Image via dr_relling/Flickr
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Comments 50
88 people have died from west nile virus this year out of about 2,000 who have contracted it this year. It's a big deal to those people.
we have just had 2 confirmed cases here in our state and one adult died from it - it freaks me out
25 cases in my area so far this year. 9 have been neuroinvasive. 1 has been fatal. The youngest victim was 6.
I take it very seriously.
CORRECTION: 25 cases in my area so far this year. 16 have been neuroinvasive, not 9 as I previously posted. 1 fatality. 3 resulted in paralysis.
Again, I take it very seriously.
Shoot first. Ask questions later. um, since when is a 4 y/o's testimony considered reliable over adults?!?! My preschooler is constantly playing pretend and does not understand truth v lie. How could anyone expect a 4 y/o to understand that any pretend stories would mean that someone would take him away from his mommy?! And why the reference to "tea"? Could it be that the little one was practicing pouring tea into the "child-sized" sampler glass?