Q&A: Eastern Equine Encephalitis; calcium supplements and heart risk; missed the boat on HRT?; & West Nile virus

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In this week’s reader-submitted Q&A, we’re tackling these questions:

• How can I avoid Eastern Equine Encephalitis?

• Are calcium pills bad for my heart?

• What to do if I missed the boat on HRT?

• Should I be concerned about the West Nile virus?

Click here to submit your questions (about anything) for future Q&A posts!

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are entirely my own. They are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician.

Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash

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The following subscriber questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

QUESTION #1: EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS

I live in Massachusetts. I am freaking out about the death of the person in NH with EEE. How to avoid getting sick? Mosquitoes are everywhere.

-Lynn

Dear Lynn,

I hear you. Headlines about insect-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are coming fast and furiously. Massachusetts is the state with the most counties affected by it, which is why some counties are getting doused with mosquito spray and others have recommended evening curfews in order to limit people’s exposures to peak mosquito biting times (dusk to dawn). Unfortunately, and as is the case with West Nile virus, the only way to prevent EEE is to avoid mosquito bites. There is no vaccine or targeted medication to treat EEE (yet).

My best advice is to cover up your arms and legs when you are outside and especially after dark, to use DEET mosquito spray (see my answer about West Nile below for more on DEET), and to watch for any symptoms of EEE such as fever, headache, and a stiff neck. My other piece of advice is to remember that EEE is rare. Indeed the worst consequence of the vast majority of mosquito bites is itchy ankles. I hope that helps! 

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QUESTION #2: CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS AND CARDIAC RISK

I’ve been told I need calcium for bone density, but I’ve also been diagnosed with calcium in my arteries, which makes me not want to take it. Are these different kinds of calcium? I realize that getting calcium from food sources rather than pills would be ideal, but it’s very hard to ingest enough, so wondering if it is OK to supplement with pills despite having heart disease. Hoping it’s a different “calcium.”

-Annette 

Hi Annette,