Avoid the sting of West Nile virus this season

If you are busy planning a family vacation for the summer months or just itchy to get outside for a swim or run in the sun, you might want to do more than slather on sunscreen to keep safe outside.

While the nightly news reports of deaths due to West Nile virus are certainly scary, I imagine a lot of us (and I count myself in this) don't know much more about how to avoid the disease other than spraying down with some kind of bug repellent and being aware of how many mosquitoes are buzzing around us. The reality is that most people who have the virus don't show any signs or symptoms. Only 20% develop West Nile fever, a mild infection with symptoms that include fever, muscle and back aches, skin rash, nausea, swollen lymph glands and other indications that the body has waged an immunity battle.

A much smaller percentage of people -- about 1% -- experience serious and threatening effects of West Nile, including neurological infection and swelling of the brain, spinal cord and surrounding membranes.

Even though the numbers seem low for folks that experience symptoms and need extensive treatment, it is important to seek out medical attention if you recognize the warning signs in yourself or other people around you. That paralysis, severe infection and fatalities can happen and do for some people each year, should be enough to motivate you to keep mosquitoes, the West Niles' main culprit, away from you and especially the more vulnerable people in your family.

The Mayo Clinic has a comprehensive article that will bring you up to speed on West Nile virus, from the causes to risk factors to when and how to seek treatment. I also recommend printing off the prevention and signs and symptoms pages to tuck inside your glove box, first aid kit or suitcase so you can head out on that road trip or water park adventure well-informed and far less worried about any little buggers.