Living in Jacksonville, you find yourself closer to wetlands than you might expect. There are swamps around the St. Johns River, as well as in parks, creeks, lakes, and forest paths.

When you think of Florida swamps, you might first picture alligators or snakes, but in reality, you need to be more cautious about diseases caused by mosquitoes, ticks, and dirty water.

First up are mosquitoes. Jacksonville's hot and humid climate, combined with frequent summer rains, creates an ideal breeding ground for them.

Especially around swamps or ponds at dusk, you'll notice a lot of mosquitoes.

A key concern is the West Nile virus. Many people infected show no symptoms, but if symptoms do appear, they can include fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue.

In rare cases, if the virus affects the nervous system, it can lead to serious conditions like encephalitis or meningitis. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems should be particularly cautious.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is another disease that mosquitoes can transmit in Florida.

While cases in humans are very rare, if it progresses to severe symptoms, it can be dangerous. High fever, headache, vomiting, and confusion or seizures can occur.

So, when heading into swamps or forests, it's better to wear long clothing instead of just short sleeves and shorts, and to use insect repellents containing DEET or Picaridin.

Especially from dusk until night, when mosquito activity is high, you need to be extra vigilant.

The second concern is ticks. In Florida, you can encounter ticks like the American dog tick and the lone star tick.

You don't have to venture deep into the woods to encounter them. They can attach to your clothes or skin while brushing against tall grass along walking paths or in bushes.

It's important to be aware of diseases related to ticks, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and some ticks can transmit infections like ehrlichiosis. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, which can be mistaken for simple malaise. Lyme disease has been reported in Florida, but it's not as common as in the Northeastern U.S.

On the day you return from a walk, it's a good idea to shower and check not just your calves and thighs, but also behind your knees, your waist, armpits, and around your hair.

The third thing to be surprisingly cautious about is water. It's best to avoid swimming or submerging your head in swamps, ponds, or warm freshwater.

One well-known organism in Florida is Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba." Infections are extremely rare, but they can occur when warm freshwater enters the nose, and if they do, the consequences can be very serious. Drinking water does not cause infection; the key is water entering through the nose.

It's also wise to avoid entering swamps or potentially contaminated water if you have any open wounds. Bacteria in dirt or water can enter through wounds and cause skin infections. If a wound becomes red, swollen, hot, and very painful, and you develop a fever, it's best not to dismiss it as just a bug bite and seek medical attention.

While not a disease, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are also very important to consider. Jacksonville's summer swamps have high temperatures and humidity, making it hard for sweat to evaporate. After walking for an hour or two, you might experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, and severe fatigue. If you start to feel confused or disoriented, it could indicate heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.

Many people avoid swamps due to fears of alligators or snakes, but in terms of health management, it's the small mosquito and tick that you should be more concerned about.

By following these basic guidelines, you can enjoy the parks and natural wetlands of Jacksonville much more safely.