Free Advice: West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus Prevention & Products*

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Protect your family against the West Nile Virus
Buy Sawyer's Mosquito and Clothing Repellent

Sawyer's Controlled Released Deet Lotion

Transmission: The West Nile Virus is spread to humans by mosquitoes infected with the virus. The West Nile Virus is part of the Japanese Encephalitis serocomplex and belongs to the Flavivridae family. The mosquito gets the virus by biting infected birds. The virus is not normally spread from humans to humans, birds to humans or animals to humans. Other animals that can be infected with the West Nile Virus include dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits.

Symptoms: Most people infected (4 of 5 people) show little or no symptoms. Symptoms usually develop 3-14 days after being bit and can range from a mild headache, low fever, rash and conjunctivitis to high fever, severe headache (viral encephalitis), stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness or coma. Permanent neurological damage (paralysis, tremors) or death can result.

Greatest Risk: Elderly people or people who are immunocompromised are at greatest risk for developing severe symptoms. One has a 1 in 150 chance of having serious symptoms if one acquires the virus.

Treatment: There is no medication or vaccine that can counteract the virus. Only the symptoms and complications can be treated.

Mosquito Prevention and Repellents (Important!):

• The Center of Disease and Control* recommends wearing a mosquito repellent with DEET. (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). Beware of other products without DEET they may not provide long lasting or adequate protection.
• A mosquito repellent containing 23% DEET will protect one against mosquitoes for 5 hours. (Sawyer's controlled released Deet will last up to 20 hours)
• Wear long sleeve shirts and pants. Tuck pant legs into socks as mosquitoes bite ankles and feet.
• Do not apply DEET repellent to open wounds, cuts, scratches or irritated skin.
• Do not use spray or pump repellents over eyes, face or mouth.
• Wash DEET off after coming indoors.
• DEET has been approved for use in children; however, concentrations of 20% or less are generally used in children ages 2-12.
• Controlled released formulas without alcohol are the best for children and probably adults as they deliver only small amounts of DEET to the skin over a long period of time. (Sawyer products are controlled released and water based)
• Children over 2 months to 7 years of age should only receive one application of DEET per day.
• Adults should apply DEET to children.
• When applying DEET to younger children do not apply to hands that maybe put in the mouth as ingested DEET maybe dangerous.
• DEET has been used safely in pregnant and breast feeding women; although, avoiding DEET and areas with mosquitoes maybe better.
• Avoid going outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes actively bite.
• Water that stands for over two days can breed mosquitoes. Check your property for old tires, paint cans, flower pots, trash can lids, etc. that can hold old water. Drill holes in old tires or other pots to drain water.  Change water frequently in bird baths.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools. Keep swimming pool covers free of standing water.

*Referenced sources:
Center of Disease Control and Prevention
EPA Guidelines on Insect Repellents

Skin Care Glossary A-M
Skin Care Glossary N-Z