Are You at Risk of Getting West Nile Virus?
Allen Weber
Like an annual Methuselah, the West Nile
Virus is again rearing its ugly head. It is transmitted
by mosquitos. Hungry Mosquitos, hoards of them just waiting
for that unsuspecting person or animal that is anywhere
near their path around dusk or dawn.
According to the Center for Disease Control
West Nile Virus has been plaguing Africa (where it was first
'Discovered' in Uganda in 1937). It has been reported in
the Middle East; west and central Asia; Oceania; Europe,
and starting in 1999 North America. It has been reported
in virtually every state throughout the East Coast and Mid-Western
United States. Soon it will also hit the West Coast. It
is a threat to public, equine, and animal health. The most
serious risk in humans and horses when infected is fatal
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Death also happens
to infected domestic and wild birds.
If you live in an area where they have discovered
West Nile Virus activity, you are at risk of getting West
Nile encephalitis; persons older than 50 years have the
highest risk of severe disease.
West Nile Virus is spread exclusively through
bites by mosquitos, though some ticks have been discovered
carrying West Nile Virus in their blood. However, now it
is not believed that ticks pose any risk of infection.
So How do you avoid getting West Nile Virus?
The obvious answer is to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito.
You can curtail all outdoor activity around dawn and dusk.
No more jogging in the park, barbecuing dinner, late evening
softball, etc. So you can hide inside and become a shut
in out of fear. You can coat yourself with chemical insect
repellents, or you can look for natural methods.
Most methods of avoiding mosquito bites are
using hazardous, noxious and harsh chemicals. Still, there
is an all natural inexpensive way to ward off mosquitos
and avoid getting bitten. In researching my ebook, 'Vinegar
Magic' http://www.VinegarMagic.com
one of the many uses of vinegar I heard of was using apple
cider vinegar to stop mosquitos from attacking. I didn't
believe it, so I tried it on myself. Every day for a week
I drank two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces
of water. Let me tell you, I noticed a difference. I can
be outside barbecuing at dusk. I'll see a mosquito making
a bee line at me. It gets close and then suddenly, as if
by magic it makes a U-turn and flies away. It is like I
have a magic protective shield around me.
Most municipalities will begin fogging areas
for mosquitos with chemical pesticides once they have discovered
West Nile virus. That usually means at least one person
has been bitten. The incubation period in humans meaning
the time from infection to when you see disease symptoms
for West Nile encephalitis usually runs three to 15 days.
Why run the risk of waiting to become a victim?
Symptoms of West Nile Virus Most infections
are mild, and symptoms include fever, headache, and body
aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever,
neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions,
muscle weakness, paralysis, and, rarely, death.
Better to not take the risk and drink apple
cider vinegar. While the prospect of drinking two tablespoons
of apple cider vinegar may sound like a disgusting horrible
taste, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar when mixed
into eight or 10 or 12 ounces of water does not taste bad.
In fact, you can hardly taste the vinegar. Another tip is
to mix some apple cider vinegar in your pet's food. It can
help protect them from mosquitos and flies as well. You
can find some companies selling apple cider vinegar capsules
as a diet aid. (Apple cider vinegar for dieting is also
mentioned in my ebook entitled 'Vinegar Magic'.)
Like they say about Chicken soup, 'It couldn't
hurt.? Be careful when using vinegar. Remember it is acidic
so don't take to much through the day. Think of it like
salad dressing without the oil and salad. Like all things
use common sense. If you have stomach or other problems,
check with your professional care giver.
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About the author:
Article Copyright May 16, 2002 Allen Weber author of Vinegar
Magic ebook containing over 375 uses for Vinegar ranging
from home, cleaning, personal and pet care, and more uses.
Available at: http://www.VinegarMagic.com
sells for $17.76
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