Category: Invertebrates
Mosquitos are a family of small flies (the name "Mosquito" literally means "Small Fly" in Spanish) that can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are known primarily by the females of most species who use their proboscises to suck blood and nourish their eggs. While the saliva left behind from a mosquito bite can lead to an annoying rash, they do not take enough blood to harm the host, and the bite is harmless in and of itself. However, as a mosquito flies from host to host it can pass diseases like chikungunya, dengue, filariasis, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Zika fever, making the mosquito no "small fly" as a major disease vector.
Rub some dirt on it!
Could it be we have been too good at ridding our bodies of parasitic worms? Believe it or not, our efforts at keeping squeaky-clean and sanitary in the developed world may be contributing to increased allergies, asthma, psoriasis, even autoimmune diseases. The human immune system, having evolved with parasitic worms, recognizes them, and has learned to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing when these tiny intruders are sensed. While getting worms may be seen as too high a price to pay for many, for people suffering from severe allergies or colitis, it may be worth it. Victims of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease have shown a promising reduction in symptoms (even remission in Crohn’s) after ingesting whipworm eggs - a treatment that may be worth it to some until a cure is found!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
