title: [Individual protection against insect vectors].
abstract: Many diseases for which no vaccine is available are transmitted by insect and arthropod vectors, the main exceptions being yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis B. Treatment is less and less effective due to the development of chemoresistance to therapeutic and prophylactic drugs as is well-illustrated by malaria. One of the best methods of preventing these diseases is personal protection against insect bites. Personal protection measures can be divided into three categories which can be used separately or in combination : application of repellents to the skin, wearing clothes impregnated with insecticides, and use of bed nets and other barriers impregnated with insecticides. The choice of method depends on the type of insect vector involved. For insects that are active during the day or at dusk, application of repellents to the skin gives good short-term protection and wearing impregnated clothes is useful. Bed nets that have been properly impregnated with pyrethroids are highly effective for night-time protection. Since personal protection methods are not 100% effective, they must be used in association with chemoprophylaxis according to medical guidelines. Medical advice should be sought if fever should occur especially after returning from a trip in the tropics.
authors.affiliation: l'Institut Pierre Richet, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carnevale
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mouchet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007302:Insect Repellents; D011481:Protective Clothing; D014195:Travel; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D007302:Insect Repellents
vernacular_title: La protection individuelle contre les insectes vecteurs.