6 Ways To Protect Yourself Against Zika Virus

By now, you should have heard about the first Zika virus case happened in our own backyard. The news came following a 58-year-old woman from Bandar Botanic, Klang, has been contracted a Zika infection in Singapore. To understand further about Zika, those who get infected with the particular virus do not show any symptoms immediately until after 3 to 12 days. The symptoms may include red eyes, joint and muscle pain, low fever, headache and rash. Pregnant women should be more aware of Zika virus due to birth defects in newborns known as microcephaly, a neurological disorder that can cause an abnormally small head.

At the time of this writing, there is no known vaccine exists to prevent Zika virus. But the least you can do to protect yourself against Zika virus and mosquitoes is always exercise precautions. Here are the 6 things below:

1. Use mosquito repellent

One of the best protections against Zika-infected mosquitoes is to carry mosquito repellent with you all the time. This is especially true if you are constantly outdoors. While a regular mosquito repellent is better than nothing at all, try purchasing the one that contains some of these active ingredients. They can be either picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), IR 3535 or DEET. Keep in mind not to spray mosquito repellent on the skin under clothing and always follow the product label instructions.

Mosquito repellent can be easily found in many places such as pharmacy and hardware store. Alternatively, you can shop various selections of mosquito repellents right here.

2. Eliminate breeding ground

What do roof gutter, flower pot, drain and domestic containers have in common? All of these sites and items are typically known as breeding ground for mosquitoes. Make a habit to remove them to prevent the mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water. For instance, eliminate any standing water left in the containers such as buckets, bottles and tin cans in your home.

3. Consider indoor workouts

If you usually enjoy outdoor workouts, consider this alternative instead by exercising indoors. For instance, try hitting the gym or play indoor sports such as badminton and futsal for a change. After all, mosquitoes are commonly attracted to carbon dioxide and heat.

4. Sleep under mosquito net

If your room is not air conditioned, equip your bed with mosquito net and make sure your home windows are properly shut before you head for sleep. If possible, use screens on windows to keep mosquitoes away. Mosquito net is especially a vital protection if you have a baby, in which the netting can cover the whole crib or stroller. Get it here.

5. Wear light-coloured clothing

Do you love to wear dark clothes most of the time whenever you’re outdoors? Consider minimising them by opting for light-coloured clothing instead. The reason is simple. Dark colours absorb heat while lighter colours reflect heat. And yes, mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Plus, if possible, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants especially during the daytime.

6. Avoid travelling to affected countries

Not sure which countries currently affected with Zika virus? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official site has the answer right here. This might comes in handy if you are planning to travel overseas. Even if you must travel to one of the affected countries, be vigilant and make sure to stay indoors (preferably air-conditioning premise, if possible) as much as you can and equip yourself with mosquito repellent.

It goes without saying that prevention is better than cure. With the suggestions above, this can help protect you and your loved ones from getting bitten by mosquitoes.