Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
We're talking about healthy aging this week on Healthwatch. While summer is almost at an end, mosquitoes are still active. This means West Nile virus is still a danger, and it's a particularly big threat for older adults.
While most people who contract the virus show few or no symptoms, some cases can be severe, causing neurological effects or even death.
Dr. Elizabeth Race, an infectious diseases expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas says people over 70 should take mosquito precautions seriously.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, avoid outdoor activities around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and use an insect repellent containing DEET when you are outdoors. Reduce possible breeding areas by eliminating any standing water. Mosquitoes may remain active until the first freeze.
Next: replacing your teeth.
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September 2005
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