Blog

What You Need To Know About Mosquitoes & Pregnancy

World Mosquito Day: What You Need To Know About Mosquitoes & Pregnancy

Since 1897, 20^th of August is observed worldwide as the World Mosquito Day, a day to commemorate Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery that malaria is transmitted between humans by female mosquitoes. Organizations around the globe use this occasion as a chance to spread awareness regarding malaria as well as other diseases associated with mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are notorious for carrying a variety of infections and the link between mosquito bites and pregnancy is something that concerns most pregnant women. Here is an overview of how pregnant women can take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the resulting diseases, for their own safety as well as that of their baby.

Why are mosquitoes attracted to pregnant women?

It is not a myth that pregnant women are more prone to getting bitten by mosquitoes. The reason behind this is that mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, and pregnant woman produce this gas in larger quantities than others because their breathing is heavier as a result of carrying the weight of the baby around. Additionally, the average body temperature of pregnant women is higher than that of an average human, and mosquitoes get enticed by this warmth. Therefore the chances of getting bitten by a mosquito increases while you are pregnant, which is quite unfortunate because you wouldn’t want to catch an infection during your pregnancy.

What are the common mosquito-borne diseases?

While in most cases mosquito bites are harmless, apart from the itching sensation, some mosquitoes carry diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, and malaria. The latest addition to the list is the Zika virus. Till date, mosquitoes carrying these diseases have been mostly found in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe.  Therefore, staying extra cautious during pregnancy regarding preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid any complications during this phase of your life.

Are mosquito bites more dangerous during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the immunity of the woman decreases, which means that the diseases caused by mosquito bites can become more aggravated than in an average human being. Also, there is not much evidence regarding whether or not these diseases can affect the baby but there have been cases of dengue being passed on to the child if the mother is infected during the last trimester and of miscarriages in the cases of mothers infected with malaria.

How to prevent mosquito bites during pregnancy?

The ways to prevent mosquito bites are largely the same for pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. However, since the damage caused by mosquitoes can be more serious during pregnancy, pregnant women should follow these tips religiously in case they live in an area with a large population of mosquitoes, particularly if there is an outbreak of a mosquito-borne disease.

• Wear Light Coloured Clothes – Mosquitoes that bite during the day tend to get more attracted to darker clothing, so opt for light coloured clothes during the daytime.

• Wear Loose Fitting Clothes – Mosquitoes can usually bite through tight fitting garments, so go for clothes that do not cling to the body or have a very thick weave.

• Cover Your Body Well – Opt for long sleeved tops and full-length bottoms to minimise the area of skin exposed to the mosquitoes.

Use A Repellent – Use a repellent from a tested and reputed brand. Repellents containing DEET are effective and safe for pregnant women. DEET should not be applied to infants under 2 months of age while a concentration of no more than 10% can be used on older babies. Always consult a doctor before applying any repellent on your baby.

The initial symptoms of most mosquito-borne diseases include chills, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, joint swelling, and headache. If you experience any of these symptoms, your physician or gynaecologist before consuming any medicine. Following these simple tips can ensure that mosquito bites do not pose a threat to you or your baby during your pregnancy.

Tags: Avoiding Mosquitoes during pregnancy, Avoiding Mosquitos during pregnancy, how to keep your home free of mosquitoes, how to keep your home free of mosquitos, how to keep your home mosquito free, pregnancy and dengue, pregnancy and malaria, pregnancy and mosquitos, pregnancy and zika, Tips for a healthy pregnancy, Tips to prevent mosquitoes during pregnancy, Tips to prevent mosquitos during pregnancy