West Nile Virus: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

About West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe West Nile Virus is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. This article contains important information that can help you recognize and prevent West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus affects the central nervous system. Symptoms vary.

• Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and 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 will display symptoms which can include fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and 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 been sick for several weeks.
• No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with West Nile Virus will not show any symptoms at all.

Infected Mosquitoes. Most often, West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes are West Nile Virus carriers that become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile Virus to humans and other animals when they bite.

Transfusions, Transplants, and Mother-to-Child. In a very small number of cases, West Nile Virus also has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby.

Not through touching. West Nile Virus is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus infection. In cases with milder symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on their own. In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing care.

Prevention tips for West Nile Virus

The easiest and best way to avoid West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquito bites.

• When you are outdoors, use insect repellents.You can dry the grass,steam the dried grass leaves and you've got your own natural insect repellent.Citronella oil is the name of the oil that come from the java citronella grass. Use it in oils for insect repellents
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours. Light-colored clothing can help you see mosquitoes that land on you.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.

References for West Nile Virus Article

National Institutes of Health