Mosquitoes prefer sweaty, ovulating women

I turn from my usual topics of business and politics today to mosquitoes and dengue because of an interesting conversation I had with my brother-in-law, Dr. Arturo Ludan, last weekend. Dr. Ludan is, of course, one of the country’s leading pediatricians and he confirmed to me all those scary stories we have seen and read in mass media about a serious upsurge of dengue cases.

The strain we have this year is particularly bad, he told me. And our natural immunity to the disease is rather iffy. Since the disease is transmitted through a mosquito bite, we have to avoid being bitten by this pesky insect. That, as we all know, is impossible. But we should try, anyway.

A time-honored technique to avoid a mosquito bite, according to an article in the New York Times, is to hang out with someone more attractive to mosquitoes than you are. And who might these creatures be? Mosquitoes, the NYT article continues, prefer adults to children, women to men and pregnant women most of all. And they find ovulating women more attractive than those menstruating. I suppose menopausal women are in the same category as men.

Actually, according to the same article, mosquitoes prefer animal blood to human. So if you sleep next to a cow or a pig, mosquitoes will snub you. "Given a choice, the females of almost every mosquito species studied greatly preferred their blood to ours. Even a dog can help." Apparently, the eyelids of a dog provide easier access to his blood than his thick coat.

But bear in mind that mosquitoes, like our politicians, are opportunistic – they bite whoever comes along first. And like some senators, "movement attracts mosquitoes, so swatting at them is a good way to get them swarming around you." Only the female mosquitoes bite. The females of most mosquito species require a blood meal to support their developing eggs. The males, the more gentle gender, would much rather feed from the nectar of flowers.

The article also informatively states that it is carbon dioxide, heat and lactic acid that draw mosquitoes to their victims. We can’t do much about carbon dioxide for so long as we are breathing. Heat and lactic acid are left on our skin by sweat. The NYT article suggests that "frequent bathing in cool water to lower the temperature of your body surface and wash away the buildup of lactic acid on your skin should reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes."

Forget those bug zappers. Studies have shown them to be ineffective against mosquitoes. On the contrary, they tend to electrocute bugs that feed on mosquitoes. The article also debunked another popular approach: to eat lots of garlic or take garlic pills. It is "a technique more repellent to people than to mosquitoes."

Since it is almost impossible not to be bitten by mosquitoes, what are we to do at the first sign or suspicion of dengue? See your doctor, of course, because dengue can kill. But Dr. Ludan recommends Oral Rehydration Therapy as first aid to improve chances of recovery. "When dengue fever is suspected in the first 3-4 days of high fever, an appropriate ORS (I guess that stands for Oral Rehydration Solution) should be given in amounts of 500 to 1,500 cc or more per day."

Dr. Ludan explained that "in dengue shock syndrome (DSS), there is no external loss of fluids as dehydration occurs internally as body fluids escape from blood circulation to the interstitial tissues and the body’s third fluid space." He further explained that "patients with dengue fever have poor fluid intake which contributes to early dehydration and hemoconcentration (I guess that has something to do with the blood’s viscosity)."

Dr. Ludan suggests that the ORS powder, tablet or electrolyte concentrate syrup be diluted in medium thick rice starch water (‘am"). He gave a long scientific explanation why but suffice it to say that the rice starch water will help hold the fluids in the circulating blood.

Dengue afflicts children most because they do not have any previous exposure and thus, lack the immunity. Adults can catch it too despite previous exposure if our immune system is down and if it is a new and more virulent strain. They have been unable to produce a vaccine against this virus.

For some reason, the pediatricians are more adept in treating this potentially fatal disease. Unfortunately for those of us over 21, they won’t let a pediatrician be our attending physician in most hospitals. Dengue is such a jologs kind of disease so that most internal medicine specialists may not give it much thought. It makes sense to have a pediatrician consult with your internist if dengue is suspected.

In the meantime, clean your surroundings and take a bath often to avoid mosquito bites. If all else fails, splash some cologne with citronella on exposed parts of your body and sit next to a woman, an ovulating woman, if possible. Scientific studies show those vicious female bloodsuckers, I mean the mosquitoes, prefer the blood of hot, sweaty ovulating women any old time. Or, if you prefer a less complicated life, go get a dog.

Consultants

Now, it is Fe dela Cruz giving Dr. Ernie E a run for his jokes.

Once there was a sheepherder tending his flock at the edge of a country road in the rural west. A new Jeep Grand Cherokee screeched to a halt next to him, and the driver, a young man dressed to the nines in a Brioni, Ceruttis and Ray-Bans, hopped out. "If I guess how many sheep you have, will you give me one of them?" he asked.

The herder looked at the young man; then at his sprawling herd and said "okay."

The young man parked his SUV, connected his notebook and wireless modem, entered a NASA site, scanned the ground using satellite imagery and a GPS, opened a database and 60 Excel tables filled with algorithms, then printed a 150-page report on his high-tech mini-printer. He turned to the herder and said, "You have exactly 1,586 sheep here."

"Say, you’re right," responded the herder. "Pick out a sheep."

The young man selected an animal and put it in the back of his Grand Cherokee. As he was preparing to drive off, the herder asked, "Now, if I guess your profession will you pay me back in kind?"

"Sure," answered the young man.

"You’re a consultant," said the herder immediately.

"Well, that’s right. But how did you figure that out?" asked the young fellow.

"Very simple," replied the herder. "First, you came here without being invited. Next, you charged me a fee to tell me something I already knew. Finally, you made it plain that you don’t understand anything about my business, and I’d really like my dog back."

(Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is [email protected])