Not all mosquitoes are the same. The species that spreads dengue, the Aedes mosquito , behaves very differently from the mosquitoes that bite you at night, and many familiar anti-mosquito habits miss it completely.
The information below is for reference only and does not replace diagnosis and treatment by a doctor.
How to recognize Aedes mosquitoes
Aedes mosquitoes are small with a black body and white stripes on the legs and back. Unlike ordinary mosquitoes, they:
- Bite during the day, most of all in the early morning and late afternoon
- Like to stay indoors, in dark corners, under beds and behind curtains
- Lay eggs in clean standing water : water jars, tanks, flower vases, plant pots, tires, cans
- Fly low and often bite the legs and ankles
| Aedes mosquito | Common house mosquito | |
|---|---|---|
| Biting time | Daytime, early morning and late afternoon | At night |
| Breeding sites | Clean water standing in containers | Dirty water, drains |
| Diseases | Dengue, Zika, chikungunya | Mostly a nuisance and itching |
The most important point: sleeping under a net at night is not enough to prevent dengue, because Aedes mosquitoes bite while you are awake.
Preventing Aedes mosquitoes: two things at once
1. Get rid of breeding sites
This is the most effective measure, and it's free:
- Cover water jars, tanks and cisterns tightly
- Change the water in vases and under furniture-leg trays every week
- Turn over or throw away unused bottles, tires and pots
- Put fish in large water tanks to eat the larvae
Aedes eggs can survive dry for months and hatch as soon as they touch water, so scrubbing the inside of containers matters as much as changing the water.
2. Don't get bitten during the day
- Wear long, light-colored clothes
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin when you go out. DEET, Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are all recognized by the US CDC as effective against Aedes mosquitoes
- Let young children nap under a net during the day too
Suggestions by user:
- Everyday use for the whole family: Sawyer Picaridin : nearly odorless, the label says from 6 months
- For a plant-based ingredient: Repel DEET Free : oil of lemon eucalyptus, from age 3
- Forest trips and outings: BugX 30 or higher-DEET formulas for adults
👉 DEET or Picaridin: which should you choose
Signs of dengue
Common symptoms:
- Sudden high fever lasting 2–7 days
- Headache, pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain, fatigue
- Possible small red spots under the skin
Signs that need a hospital right away : these often appear just as the fever goes down, around day 3 to 7:
- Stomach pain, repeated vomiting
- Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vomiting blood
- Unusual drowsiness, exhaustion, restlessness
- Cold hands and feet, passing little urine
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen on your own for fever when dengue is suspected, as they can raise the risk of bleeding. See a doctor for a diagnosis and advice.
Vaccine
A dengue vaccine is available in Vietnam for people aged 4 and over. Ask a vaccination center or your doctor whether it is right for you and your family. The vaccine does not replace preventing mosquito bites.
Frequently asked questions
What time of day do Aedes mosquitoes bite?
During the day, most of all in the early morning and late afternoon.
Does sleeping under a mosquito net prevent dengue?
Only partly. Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, so you also need long clothes, insect repellent and to get rid of breeding sites.
Which mosquito repellent works against Aedes mosquitoes?
Products containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, used as directed on the label.
Does dengue spread directly from person to person?
No. It spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites someone else.
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