| |
|
 |
| People
typically develop symptoms between
3 and 14 days after they are bitten
by the infected mosquito. According
to the CDC, most people who are bitten
by a carrier mosquito do not exhibit
any symptoms. Those
who do get sick typically have only
mild symptoms such as fever, headache,
body ache and a skin rash. The
worst-case scenarios involve West
Nile encephalitis (an inflammation
of the brain) and West Nile meningitis
(inflammation of the membrane around
the brain and the spinal cord). Both
are forms of a severe disease that
affect a person’s nervous system. |
|
Serious
Symptoms in a few people: About
one in 150 people infected with
WNV will develop severe illness.
The severe symptoms can include: |
|
- high
fever
- headache
- neck
stiffness
- stupor
- disorientation
- coma
- tremors
- convulsions
- muscle
weakness
- vision
loss
- numbness
- paralysis
These symptoms may last several weeks,
and neurological effects may be permanent.
|
|
- Milder
Symptoms in some
people: Up to 20 percent of the
people who become infected
have symptoms such
as:
|
| |
- fever
- headache
- body
aches
- nausea
- vomiting
- sometimes
swollen lymph glands or a
skin rash on the chest, stomach
and back.
Symptoms can last for as
short as a few days, though
even healthy people have
become sick for several weeks.
|
|
No
Symptoms in most people:
Approximately 80 percent of people
(about 4 out of 5) who are infected
with WNV will not show any symptoms
at all.
People over the age of 50 are more
likely to develop serious symptoms
of WNV if they do get sick and should
take special care to avoid mosquito
bites. |
|
There is no specific
treatment for WNV infection. In milder
cases, people will experience symptoms
such as fever and aches that will pass
on their own. There have been healthy
people who have become sick for several
weeks. In more severe cases, people
may need to go the hospital in order
to receive supportive treatment such
as intravenous fluids, help with breathing
and nursing care.
Milder cases will improve on their
own and do not necessarily require
medical attention. If you develop severe
symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Severe WNV illness usually requires
hospitalization.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional
Resources:
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are
there other ways to get
West Nile Virus
than from mosquitoes?
|
|
|
| > |
Yes.
In a very small number of cases, WNV also has been spread
through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding
and even during pregnancy from mother to baby. The risk
of getting WNV from a blood transfusion is very rare.
Blood banks test all donated blood for AIDS, hepatitis,
and WNV. Organ donors are screened to identify infectious
risks on the basis of national organ procurement standards.
In the case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, in 2002 one
case was reported. According to the reports, the infant
was born with West Nile virus infection and severe medical
problems. However, it goes on to say that, it is unclear
whether West Nile virus infection caused these problems
or whether they were due to other causes. For more on
this story go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/breastfeeding.htm
Contrary
to what you may have been taught, West Nile virus is not
spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing
a person with the virus.
So, in closing, as the nicer weather begins to show itself, please be aware
of your surroundings. Whether it’s a leisurely walk in the early
morning or at dusk, those picnics in the park, back yard barbeque fun,
or an outdoor sporting event, please remember to protect you and your loved
ones from those annoying, and potentially dangerous pests
|
|
|
|
| |
| References/Credits:
|
|
