Re: Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

[Guest guest]

Im a bit confused with this one. If you say they cannot transmit Blood-bourne diseasesbecause it is in the saliva than how can they transmit The Blood bourne disease of Heartworms? Hmmn I need to research that one.

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Mon, February 21, 2011 11:45:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

We need to save this in the links library... God knows this has come up before!

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 10:20 PM, Christ <ludichrist2000@...> wrote:

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the "needle" that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm

[Guest guest]

Betty,Don't feel alone being confused on this one...  We went round and round about this about a year ago!  I was CONVINCED that mosquitos could spread HCV and poor Don had his hands full trying to convince me otherwise.. but he did.  

Because the HCV virus is fragile and because the mosquito is injecting saliva, there is no blood from the mosquito involved.  If you google this one, you will find tons of documentation and diagrams that describe how it is impossible for a mosquito to transmit HIV or HCV.  But yes, they do transmit heartworms..... to animals.  

Hugs,TeriOn Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM, Betty Himes <stayhungryforlife@...> wrote:

 

Im a bit confused with this one. If you say they cannot transmit Blood-bourne diseasesbecause it is in the saliva than how can they transmit The Blood bourne disease of Heartworms?  Hmmn I need to research that one.

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >

Sent: Mon, February 21, 2011 11:45:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

 

We need to save this in the links library...  God knows this has come up before!  

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 10:20 PM, Christ <ludichrist2000@...> wrote:

 

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

 

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

 

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the " needle " that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

 

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi again!

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents. Heartworms are parasites which are hardy little creatures. When transmitted they are nicely encapsulated to prevent injury from the mosquito's saliva.

I paid attention during that part of my liberal education. LOL!

S. Colette Wise

From: theresagottlieb@...Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:07:59 -0600Subject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

Betty,

Don't feel alone being confused on this one... We went round and round about this about a year ago! I was CONVINCED that mosquitos could spread HCV and poor Don had his hands full trying to convince me otherwise.. but he did.

Because the HCV virus is fragile and because the mosquito is injecting saliva, there is no blood from the mosquito involved. If you google this one, you will find tons of documentation and diagrams that describe how it is impossible for a mosquito to transmit HIV or HCV. But yes, they do transmit heartworms..... to animals.

Hugs,Teri

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM, Betty Himes <stayhungryforlife@...> wrote:

Im a bit confused with this one. If you say they cannot transmit Blood-bourne diseasesbecause it is in the saliva than how can they transmit The Blood bourne disease of Heartworms? Hmmn I need to research that one.

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Mon, February 21, 2011 11:45:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

We need to save this in the links library... God knows this has come up before!

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 10:20 PM, Christ <ludichrist2000@...> wrote:

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the "needle" that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm

[Guest guest]

Teri, Can people also get heartworms? I belive they can but im not positive. Oh yes i am (No pun-lol) Betty

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Tue, February 22, 2011 2:07:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

Betty,

Don't feel alone being confused on this one... We went round and round about this about a year ago! I was CONVINCED that mosquitos could spread HCV and poor Don had his hands full trying to convince me otherwise.. but he did.

Because the HCV virus is fragile and because the mosquito is injecting saliva, there is no blood from the mosquito involved. If you google this one, you will find tons of documentation and diagrams that describe how it is impossible for a mosquito to transmit HIV or HCV. But yes, they do transmit heartworms..... to animals.

Hugs,Teri

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM, Betty Himes <stayhungryforlife@...> wrote:

Im a bit confused with this one. If you say they cannot transmit Blood-bourne diseasesbecause it is in the saliva than how can they transmit The Blood bourne disease of Heartworms? Hmmn I need to research that one.

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Mon, February 21, 2011 11:45:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

We need to save this in the links library... God knows this has come up before!

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 10:20 PM, Christ <ludichrist2000@...> wrote:

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the "needle" that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm

[Guest guest]

Betty,It's pretty rare but it CAN happen.  When I was working for a pediatrician many years ago running his lab, I actually had a patient that had roundworms...  or heartworms as they are called in animals.  Pretty gross but it happened.  The family dog had heartworms and apparently the child was not supervised as well as he should have been.  It was pretty nasty but the problem was solved.  When I looked at the slide under a microscope and saw those things moving around in there I jumped.  Freaked me out.  But yeah, it can happen.

ughhh....  now I have the heebie jeebies!Thanks Betty!  LOL!Hugs,TeriOn Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM, Betty Himes <stayhungryforlife@...> wrote:

 

Teri, Can people also get heartworms? I belive they can but im not positive. Oh yes i am (No pun-lol) Betty 

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >

Sent: Tue, February 22, 2011 2:07:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis 

Betty,

Don't feel alone being confused on this one...  We went round and round about this about a year ago!  I was CONVINCED that mosquitos could spread HCV and poor Don had his hands full trying to convince me otherwise.. but he did.  

Because the HCV virus is fragile and because the mosquito is injecting saliva, there is no blood from the mosquito involved.  If you google this one, you will find tons of documentation and diagrams that describe how it is impossible for a mosquito to transmit HIV or HCV.  But yes, they do transmit heartworms..... to animals.  

Hugs,Teri

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM, Betty Himes <stayhungryforlife@...> wrote:

 

Im a bit confused with this one. If you say they cannot transmit Blood-bourne diseasesbecause it is in the saliva than how can they transmit The Blood bourne disease of Heartworms?  Hmmn I need to research that one.

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >

Sent: Mon, February 21, 2011 11:45:59 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

 

We need to save this in the links library...  God knows this has come up before!  

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 10:20 PM, Christ <ludichrist2000@...> wrote:

 

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

 

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

 

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the " needle " that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

 

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm

 

 

[Guest guest]

I always wondered about that myself.

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the "needle" that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm

[Guest guest]

Yep... don't eat your dog's poo and you won't have that problem!  Nuff said?EWWW   heebie jeebies big time!  Thanks ladies!Ugh

Hugs,TeriOn Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 7:17 PM, Beth Frey <bethfrey42301@...> wrote:

 

I always wondered about that myself.

 

Why Mosquitoes Don't Spread Hepatitis

 

It's a beautiful day and you're outside enjoying the fresh air. You feel a small prick on your arm and notice that a mosquito is getting a free meal. Without realizing, you kill it with a quick slap of your hand, but notice a little blood on your arm where the mosquito was. Along with the nuisance of a mosquito bite, you might be worried about possible infections you can catch, including hepatitis.

It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. Let's look at some reasons why.

 

What Is Hepatitis?

About Viruses

Mosquitoes Inject Saliva, Not Blood

Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by contact with infected blood, it's very tempting to think of mosquitoes as flying hypodermic needles. However, the " needle " that mosquitoes feed with, called the proboscis, is actually a complex structure that has separate channels. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva through one channel. The saliva functions as a lubricant to help the mosquito feed easier. The blood it sucks as a meal flows in a completely separate channel and only in one direction: toward the mosquito. So, it's biologically unlikely for infected blood to be spread to another person.

About Mosquitoes

Insect Bites and Stings

Adult Mosquito Feeding

But, Wait! Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Yellow Fever. Why Not Hepatitis?

Since mosquitoes can spread some diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, it is tempting to think they can spread other blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The answer is in the saliva! When a mosquito bites, it injects its own saliva into whatever it is biting. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are actually spread through the mosquito's saliva. Hepatitis, however, is spread through blood.

Malaria

Yellow Fever

Need More Proof? Viruses are Fragile

The hepatitis viruses are very picky about what they infect and where they can survive. They really like livers, and mosquitoes don't have livers! This means that the mosquitoes aren't really a good home and the viruses wouldn't survive long enough to be spread, even if they could be. Also, people who study mosquitoes have noticed they usually don't bite two people consecutively. After they bite, they will fly away to let their food digest and then after a period of time, they will feed again. Because the hepatitis viruses don't last long in a harsh environment, they wouldn't survive long enough to infect.

How Long Can Viral Hepatitis Survive Outside the Body?

So, Is this Just Mosquitoes? How about Insects and Spiders?

Mosquitoes are part of a very diverse biological classification called arthropods, which include a variety of life. Some types of arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, shrimp and crayfish. Experts agree that arthropods don't spread viral hepatitis. A fair bit of scientific study has gone into how arthropods spread disease, especially since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

Arthropods

Basic Characteristics of Arthropods

If Not Mosquitoes, What Does Spread Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is spread by direct contact with infected blood. So, some things that could expose you to infected blood would be razors, needles (not mosquitoes!) and toothbrushes. Also, certain actions are at higher risk for spreading hepatitis C. Examples of these would include injecting street drugs without sterile needles and works and having sex with someone who is infected (though this doesn't happen often).

 

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/prevention/a/mosquitoes.htm