# Urban Legend? Flicking mosquitoes rather than slapping them. \[edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019 "2004-07-20T16:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/1 "2004-07-20T16:41:48Z")
I received this by email today (from my cousin Vinnie): > [@](#): > > Flick mosquitos or you could get sick and die. > > If you catch a mosquito feeding on you, you should flick it away rather than squashing it, lest you drive its infectious guts into your body. > > The issue is reviewed in an article published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine that focuses on a 57-year-old Pennsylvania woman who died in 2002 of a fungal infection in her muscles called Brachiola algerae. Doctors were puzzled because the fungus was thought to be found only in mosquitoes and other insects. But it’s not found in mosquito saliva like West Nile virus and malaria, so a simple mosquito bite could not have caused the infection. The article’s authors concluded that the woman must have smashed a mosquito on her skin, smearing its body parts into the bite. I’ve searched the forums and tried to find this on snopes with no luck. Is this actually for real? Can a layman/woman search the New England Journal of Medicine online? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/2 "2004-07-20T16:47:35Z")
[CNN article](http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/07/19/flicking.mosquitoes.ap/index.html) on the subject. No urban legend. But, nothing to run away screaming about. The possibilities are miniscule. This Minnesotan will keep on slappin. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/3 "2004-07-20T16:58:19Z")
Story made it across the Atlantic, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3906079.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3906079.stm) ---
**Author:** ![citrus\_x\_paradisi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@citrus\_x\_paradisi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citrus_x_paradisi)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/4 "2004-07-20T18:06:31Z")
[“My cousin Vinny?”](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104952/) Anyway, I’ve been flicking them all my life-- I’m not a fan of little mangled mosquito corpses littering my arms. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/5 "2004-07-20T22:39:18Z")
Perhaps I could hijack this thread to ask whether there is any truth in the statement that, if you discover a mosquito feeding on your forearm, you can ‘pump’ your hand, causing the blood pressure in the veins to rise and causing the mosquito’s body to burst? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/6 "2004-07-20T22:51:01Z")
> [@](#): > > is any truth in the statement that, if you discover a mosquito feeding on your forearm, you can ‘pump’ your hand, causing the blood pressure in the veins to rise and causing the mosquito’s body to burst? [The Master speaks.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_206.html) ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/7 "2004-07-20T22:56:28Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Perhaps I could hijack this thread to ask whether there is any truth in the statement that, if you discover a mosquito feeding on your forearm, you can ‘pump’ your hand, causing the blood pressure in the veins to rise and causing the mosquito’s body to burst? [Cecil on the subject, with a detailed account of the processes of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_206.html) ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/8 "2004-07-20T22:56:43Z")
[Gary Larson speaks.](http://www.dsklyar.com/farside/fs43.gif) ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/9 "2004-07-20T23:35:56Z")
I have edited the thread title. In the future please try to choose more descriptive titles. That way folks don’t have to open the thread to find out what it’s about. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![MaceMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@MaceMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaceMan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/10 "2004-07-21T04:03:36Z")
I’ve also heard rumors that although mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV, etc. directly through a bite, if she has recently fed on someone else and then you slap her, the blood inside her gut could infect you through a cut on your skin. Pretty slim chance of that happening, though. I’ve observed my male cousin kill many mosquitoes by flexing his arm muscles while being bitten. I tried it, but never succeeded. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/11 "2004-07-21T13:19:06Z")
While you’re all here… Do mosquitoes transmit diseases by biting creature “A” and transfering blood by biting creature “B”? The blood is digested in the gut so that the offspring cannot transmit a disease without first biting an infected creature? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/12 "2004-07-21T13:47:36Z")
Oh jesus christ on a bandwagon. The alarmists have, once again, tied our collective panties in a knot. One woman died of a freak infection! ONE woman. Run for the hills, buy a generator…build a bomb shelter! The end is near! Yeeesh! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/13 "2004-07-21T14:17:20Z")
Oooohhh, _flicking_ mosquitos. Damn, do I feel stupid now… ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/14 "2004-07-21T14:23:09Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Oooohhh, _flicking_ mosquitos. Damn, do I feel stupid now… That is all it took? Bugger should have sent the mozzies in earlier. ---
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/15 "2004-07-21T16:36:43Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#): > > Oh jesus christ on a bandwagon. > The alarmists have, once again, tied our collective panties in a knot. > One woman died of a freak infection! ONE woman. Run for the hills, buy a generator…build a bomb shelter! The end is near! Yeeesh! :rolleyes: Excuse me! My panties are tangle free, thank you. I thought this had to be a legend, but when I couldn’t confirm that on my own, I brought it to the place where I thought my ignorance would be fought, and it was. What I found out is that this is actually true. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it, I’m not going to imply the sky is falling, I’m not going spam it across the internet. I may remember to flick next time, but I can’t even guarantee that. But now I know one more thing, my ignorance is less, and the good fight has been fought. You should perhaps cut down on the caffeine, though. Thanks to all who favored me with a factual response. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/16 "2004-07-21T16:48:03Z")
> [@GillianBoardman](#): > > Excuse me! My panties are tangle free, thank you. I thought this had to be a legend, but when I couldn’t confirm that on my own, I brought it to the place where I thought my ignorance would be fought, and it was. What I found out is that this is actually true. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it, I’m not going to imply the sky is falling, I’m not going spam it across the internet. I may remember to flick next time, but I can’t even guarantee that. But now I know one more thing, my ignorance is less, and the good fight has been fought. You should perhaps cut down on the caffeine, though. Thanks to all who favored me with a factual response. :smack: Aye aye aye! Sorry. After re-reading my post I realized how insulting it came across. I was in no way directing my quip at your inquiry. I too, was questioning the validity of the mosquito report. I see that the report is no hoax but I do find it alarmist. I should have aimed my shotgun in the Pit. Again, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/17 "2004-07-21T16:56:38Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#): > > :smack: Aye aye aye! Sorry. After re-reading my post I realized how insulting it came across. I was in no way directing my quip at your inquiry. I too, was questioning the validity of the mosquito report. I see that the report is no hoax but I do find it alarmist. I should have aimed my shotgun in the Pit. Again, I apologize. Apology accepted, no harm, no foul! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-flicking-mosquitoes-rather-than-slapping-them-edited-title/256019/18 "2004-07-21T17:31:00Z")
When a mosquito is biting you, kill the damn thing! Do you know how many eggs a female mosquito can lay after gulping down a copious amount of fresh blood vs. drinking plant nectar?