LCER Bug Repellents FAQ
Q: What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?
A: West Nile Virus shows three "levels" of symptoms. There's the level where there are no tell-tale symptoms, and about 80% of the people experience this level when infected. About 20% experience symptoms similiar to the Flu, such as rashes or swollen lymph glands. Less than 1% will experience "severe" symptoms, which include comas, seizures, disorientation, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
Q: What should I do if I experience the symptoms of West Nile Virus?
A: It depends, really. If you experience the moderate symptoms, the ones that are like the Flu, then really the best course of action is to rest and allow your body to recover, although a trip to the doctor wouldn't hurt anything. Generally, these symptoms only last a few days, although they have been shown to linger for a couple of weeks in rare cases. If you experience any of the severe symptoms, see a doctor immediately, since these symptoms are life-threatening and require immediate attention.
Q: Can I do anything to safeguard myself and my family from West Nile Virus?
A: Yes, there is quite a bit you can do, actually. The easiest way of protecting yourself is to wear bug repellents when you go outside, especially those with DEET. Wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants can also help reduce the chance of bug bites. There are also a few measures you can take around the home or office, such as removing stagnate water sources (like old buckets, tires, etc.). Make sure the screens on your home's windows are intact, and if you can avoid outdoor activity in the morning and early evening hours when mosquitoes are more active, that will keep you safer.
Q: What about a West Nile Virus vaccine? Does one exist yet?
A: Yes and no. Yes, one does in fact exist, but it's made for horses, not humans. But, several pharmaceutical companies are working on a vaccine for humans.
Q: What kind of repellents should I use?
A: Any repellent containing DEET is the most effective. Repellents containing Permethrin are also good, but extreme care must be taken with these repellents, as Permethrin is a potent neurotoxin that will absorb through the skin and can poison the person. Other repellents, such as soybean oil, can be used to a certain level. Vitamin B and "ultra-sonic" repellents do nothing to protect against mosquito bites.
Q: What is DEET, and is it safe?
A: Very shortly, DEET is a chemical, and it is perfectly safe. Now to get a little more specific: DEET is the abbreviation given to the chemical N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. It is very safe when applied correctly. The FDA concluded in a study that, when applied correctly, it was nearly impossible to recieve toxic poisioning from DEET.
A: To understand how DEET works, you have to understand how mosquitoes find their targets. Mosquitoes can pick up on the chemical "odors" emitted off of a living thing. DEET essentially masks this "smell" so the mosquitoes no longer see you as something it can eat. Keep in mind that DEET does not actually kill mosquitoes, nor does it keep them far away from you. You can apply DEET and still see mosquitoes around and still be safe. But when you see mosquitoes and other bugs landing on you, it may be time to re-apply.
Q: How much DEET should I get in my repellents?
A: It depends on how long you're going to be exposed. Remember, higher percentages of DEET doesn't mean stronger repelling, just longer repelling. If you only plan on being outside for an hour or so, then a DEET concentration of only about 5% should be good. If you plan on being out there for 5 hours, get DEET in about 25% strength. Anything past 5 hours, get above 25% and plan to re-apply every few hours as needed. Don't get repellents with above 50% DEET concentration for two reasons. One is that past 50%, it doesn't really add time. The second is that above 50%, DEET can irritate the skin.
Q: What about other repellent ingredients (like Soybean Oil)?
A: If you truely feel the need to stay away from DEET products, then yes, products such as Soybean Oil will work similiar to a product containing 5% DEET. However, not all of these repellents will be as effective as reliably as DEET will. And some, such as "Vitamin-B" repellents won't even work at all. Your safest bet is to go with a DEET containing product.
Q: How do I tell which repellents contain DEET?
A: Welcome to capitalism and a free market. In an effort to gain your business, product advertisers and packagers throw every attention-grabbing and possibly selling fact on the label. For bug repellents, this means advertising that a product contains DEET. Most repellents will say they contain DEET on the label, and most will say how much too. If it doesn't say, you can always check the active ingredients in the repellent for DEET, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or, sometimes, N,N-diethly-3-methylbenamide (all of these are names for the same chemical). Generally, though, a repellent will say it contains DEET very brightly on the label.
Q: Anything else I should be careful about?
A: The best thing to do with concern to bug repellents is to follow the instructions. If you do, repellents are very safe. Make sure that when applying, you don't spray an aerosol or pump spray directly on your face, instead spray some in your hands and rub it on your face. With small children, apply the repellents for them, and take care not to get any on their hands. Finally, if you're wearing clothin (especially thin clothing), apply the repellent on the clothing. If you do, you're better protected, and you don't need to put any on the skin under the clothes. Finally, make sure you use enough repellent to adequately cover all of your exposed areas, but don't over-apply, doing so may irritate your skin.