It can be scary to think about the diseases that are transmitted through mosquito bites. You don't have to travel to a foreign country to contract them either. Many of them can be contracted in your own backyard.

West Nile Virus
The virus comes from mosquitoes biting an infected bird then biting a human. The symptoms of the virus vary in how severe they are. Some of the most severe cases can see fever, convulsions and muscle weakness. They can progress to serious symptoms including paralysis and coma. Mild cases of West Nile cause symptoms that can mimic the flu with fever, headache and body aches. Symptoms will show up from 3 to 14 days after a person is bitten.

Encephalitis
The virus is spread through mosquito bites and causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. There are 5 types of encephalitis that can be contracted based on where you live. There's LaCrosse, St. Louis, Eastern Equine, Western Equine and Japanese. There are mild cases, which can present as a fever and sore throat while severe cases can cause seizures and brain damage. 

Zika Virus
The symptoms of Zika may include pinkeye, muscle and joint pain or a slight fever. Most people don't know they have it, and it'll run its course without treatment. Unfortunately, it's been linked to serious birth defects like microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Microcephaly can cause a newborn's head to not fully develop. The baby will have developmental delays. According to Pointe Pest in Elmhurst, Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellants can help provide sufficient protection. Take care of your home by filling in holes and covering cracks to further eliminate the presence of mosquitos.

Dengue
Approximately forty percent of the world's population is at risk for dengue. It's a disease cause by 1 of 4 viruses. Most people who have the disease don't present with any symptoms. Mild cases can have a fever, severe headache and joint pain. Symptoms can become dangerous very quickly and could even cause death. The people who contract the disease often bring it back from countries where it's warm like Africa and the Caribbean, but there have been outbreaks in some of the southern U.S. states. 

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to rid your yard of places that mosquitos can breed like standing water. They don't need a huge amount of water to breed either. Have a professional pest control service treat the outdoor areas to ensure that you and your family are safe from mosquitoes while you're trying to enjoy your backyard.