Beware things that bite in the night...

According to a recent article in the LA Times, Dengue Fever is the most common cause of fever in returning travellers.

Beware the mosquito carrying Dengue Fever!!

I must admit that when I hear of such warnings...well...I ignore them. After all, do you actually know anyone who come down with one of these strange afflictions while on vacation?

I do. Yes, I actually do know someone who contracted Dengue Fever and on her honeymoon no less!! (She is recovering, thank God.)

Dengue Fever is contracted from an infected mosquito and symptoms generally appear four to seven days after the bite. Symptoms can include severe headache, joint and muscle pain, high fever, nausea, vomiting and rash. It is a serious disease and, in its most severe form, can be fatal.

Unfortunately there is no vaccine at this time to prevent Dengue Fever and since it is a virus, there is no treatment. International health agencies encourage people travelling to the affected areas to take precautions against being bitten, such as wearing long sleeves and applying repellents with DEET (diethylmetatoluamide).

In other words, the best defense is a good offense.