Mosquitoes are a major cause of a number of serious diseases throughout the world. Five of the most common mosquito-borne diseases are Malaria, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Fever.

Malaria is the most common serious disease that's caused by mosquitoes. Over a million people die from the disease worldwide each and every year.

Female mosquitoes deposit their eggs into your bloodstream while they feed on your blood. These parasite eggs incubate and infest in your liver and then attack your red blood cells. The first symptoms usually are felt within twenty-four hours. Some symptoms are nausea and vomiting, a high fever, as well as shivers and chills. This is normally followed by a deep sleep and then a flare up occurs. If the symptoms repeat themselves every two to three days, you must seek medical attention.

An anti-malaria prescription can be taken to help protect you when traveling on vacation in mosquito infested tropical climates. But to receive maximum protection, this medication should be taken before, during, and after your trip. However, these pills aren't always completely effective.

Pharmaceutical drugs such as Chloroquine, Fansidar, Mefloquine, and Doxycycline, can be prescribed to treat malaria, but again, they are not always completely effective. Ask the doctor more about the dosage and length of time that you should take any of these prescription medications.

You can protect yourself from yellow fever by getting vaccinated by a physician at a local health authority before you travel on your holidays. This vaccination lasts about ten years and is very effective.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by being bitten by an infected mosquito. The disease can be prevented by a series of three vaccinations.

Dengue fever is a viral disease that's spread by mosquitoes. There's no vaccination that will prevent this disease.

West Nile Virus is also spread through infected mosquitoes. At present there's no vaccine to protect you from this disease.

Please keep in mind that when it comes to serious mosquito-borne diseases, prevention is always better than a cure, even if there is one. It is always the best policy to limit the chance of being bitten and infected by mosquitoes in the first place. Always wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and slacks between dusk and dawn and use a DEET containing insect repellent when mosquitoes become active near dusk. Be sure to kill all the mosquitoes in your room before going to sleep, and use mosquito nets as well as coils when camping or sleeping outdoors.