“Once your child is bitten, you really want to watch for any possible allergic reactions, because that’s what you’re going to see most commonly. Many times kids don’t have known allergies to begin with. So they get stung by something, you don’t know if they’re going to develop a systemic reaction to that sting.”

– Dr. Deborah Young, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

This is the time of year for kids to be outside, in contact with the great outdoors — and also, in many cases, with insects and hazardous insect bites.

J’nai’s family is wondering if an insect is behind her illness. She has been vomiting and has had a fever for several days.

Her mom says it all started after J’nai was bitten on her ear, most likely by a mosquito.

“She was concerned about the fever, the vomiting,” says Dr. Deborah Young, with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, “and she was concerned about the possible association with the insect bite — and whether [the mosquito bite] could be causing it.”

In rare cases, mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus and encephalitis. Both can produce flu-like symptoms, including fever and vomiting.

But the doctor says there are coincidences in medicine — and what’s making J’nai sick is a different kind of bug: an ordinary stomach virus.

“She had no altered mental status,” says Dr. Young. “She was alert and didn’t feel good, but had been alert and playful up to the point where she developed the fever and vomiting. The bite itself did not look bad; she had no diffuse skin rashes, nothing that looked like infection.”

J’nai is sent home with ibuprofen, to keep her temperature down, and Pedialyte to prevent dehydration.

But the doctor wants her parents to keep an eye on the bug bite on her ear – just in case the redness spreads.

“Once your child is bitten, you really want to watch for any possible allergic reactions,” she says, “because that’s what you’re going to see most commonly. Many times kids don’t have known allergies to begin with. So they get stung by something, you don’t know if they’re going to develop a systemic reaction to that sting.“

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• Seek medical help as soon as possible if your child experiences any of the following allergic reaction symptoms, following an insect bite or sting: shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling, redness or hives over much of their body, a sensation like their throat is closing, fever, nausea and vomiting, chills and weakness. (Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media)




• Insect repellents containing DEET are some of the most effective on the market – but they are not recommended for children under the age of two months. Repellents with DEET should be used sparingly on exposed skin, and not under clothing. Also, do not apply DEET on the hands of young children – or around their eyes or mouth. Don’t apply DEET on wounds, cuts or irritated skin – and be sure to wash DEET off after coming indoors. (American Academy of Pediatrics)




• For bee or wasp bites: remove the stinger or its remnants by sweeping a firm object like a credit card across the bite. Don’t try to pinch or squeeze out the stinger – it could release additional venom into the area. Clean the bite with soap and water, apply ice or a cool compress. Hydrocortisone cream applied to the site, as well as a pain reliever and antihistamine, can also help reduce pain and swelling. (University of Michigan Health System)

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• Air Force Institute for Operational Health
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control And Prevention
• Canadian Health Network

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