Week Five
Lesson 5: How do mosquitoes impact humans?
How does a mosquito bite?
- The lasting itch and irritation of a mosquito bite isn't the only thing it's bite can do...
- As discussed in the previous blog, Basics of Mosquitoes, female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite, using the blood of mammals to nourish and lay eggs.
- This is because females are equipped with a blood-sucking mechanism, called the proboscis.
- Inside the proboscis, there are two needle-like tubes that penetrate the skin of the victim:
- One injects an enzyme that prevents blood clotting
- The other sucks up blood
- A mosquito's proboscis has been discovered as a biomicroelectromechanical system, also known as BMEMS.
- This unique system has been researched by scientists, as it enables the insect to painlessly penetrate human skin, using very little force. The design of the proboscis has helped develop medicinal needles for healthcare purposes.
How do they find you?
- Mosquitoes are mainly active early in the morning or in the evening. Some species are active at night an others are active during the day.
- Have you ever noticed that you get bit by mosquitoes more than other people? So are mosquitoes attracted to some people more than others? The answer to that is actually, yes.
- These insects find victims by seeking carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and can detect it from around 75 feet away! Humans emit carbon dioxide when breathing out, and some exhale more carbon dioxide than others. But, different species are attracted to different levels of carbon dioxide.
- People have different smells, and scent is another way a mosquito finds its victim. Various compounds on our skin give off different odors. They are also attracted to ammonia and lactic acid. Bacteria and genetics can cause mosquitoes to be more inclined to bite you, versus your friend.
- Body temperature and color are two more factors. Sweat and vapor on your skin attracts mosquitoes. This insect is also supposedly attracted to dark colors. This is because darker colors tend to absorb heat, and lighter colors reflect heat. Mosquitoes have special sensors that are especially sensitive to heat, so that is why they like to bite those who wear darker colors, because there is more heat.
- Lastly, mosquitoes tend to bite women that are pregnant, and people who drink alcohol. It may seem strange, but here's why. When a women is pregnant, more blood is circulating in their body, and they have a higher body temperature. People who have a drink of alcohol, are also more prone to mosquito bites, because alcohol increases body temperature. The higher your body temperature is, the easier it is for mosquitoes to find you. Drinking a beverage like beer, increases the amount of ethanol in your body sweat, which lure these pesky insects to you.
Mosquitoes & Diseases: How are humans impacted?
- Everyone knows that mosquitoes have an annoying bite. But mosquitoes can also carry harmful or fatal diseases.
- They have caused over millions of deaths around the world. The elderly and children are mostly affected than adults.
- The major diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes are:
- Zika virus
- West Nile Virus
- Dengue
- Malaria
- Most of these infectious diseases are carried by 3 out of 3,500 species of mosquito. They are:
- Anopheles: carries malaria
- Culex: carries the West Nile virus
- Aedes: carries dengue & yellow fever
- But, mosquitoes don't infect people with disease through their bites... they spread disease causing agents, not the actual disease.
- For example with yellow fever or dengue, a mosquito contracts the virus from an infected host and infects a human through its saliva.
- With malaria, a parasite attaches itself to a mosquito and infects the human once the mosquito bites.
- Mosquito-borne diseases can spread fast and very rapidly. Some symptoms that show in humans caused by these diseases can include:
- Fever, coughing, vomiting, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and death.
Click below for a printable activity of this week's lesson!
- A mosquito's effect on humans can be minimal & common or extremely harmful/fatal.
- A regular bite from a mosquito will cause that area of your skin to swell and become a little red bump. But an irregular bite can cause hives or blisters.
A couple things you can do battle mosquitoes and treat their bites:
- Wear bug spray whenever you go outside
- Avoid wearing dark colors
- If you get bit by a mosquito, don't itch!!! Itching will make the bite worse and when you scratch, unwanted bacteria can enter your skin and cause infection.
- To reduce the irritation of a bite, you can:
- Wash the affected area with soap and water
- Apply anti-itch cream or calamine lotion
- Even putting an ice pack on the bite can reduce swelling
- Make sure mosquitoes are not able to breed near or in your home. Remove sources of still water to prevent this.
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