Symptoms and Treatment of West Nile Virus

The West Nile virus is a potentially serious virus transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Expert research presents the West Nile virus as a seasonal epidemic in North America starting in the summer and ending in the fall of each year. First appearing in the United States in 1999, the West Nile virus has since spread, being reported in all 48 contiguous states.

Causes of West Nile Virus

The main carriers of the West Nile virus are wild birds, such as jays and crows but the spread of the virus is through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes become infected with the West Nile virus by biting wild birds whereby the virus settles in the salivary glands of the mosquito and is then passed on to other animals and humans they bite. There are a few other ways the West Nile virus can be transmitted by others infected that attribute to the overall cause of the virus spreading however, they are rare. They include:

* Pregnancy – a pregnant woman bitten by an infected mosquito can then pass the virus on to her unborn child

* Mother to child – in extremely rare cases, mothers have passed the virus on to their babies during breastfeeding. Again, this is extremely rare and should not deter mothers from breastfeeding their babies.

* Blood transfusions or organ transplants – the West Nile virus lives in the bloodstream and can be passed on by blood donors through transfusion however, this rarely happens because all blood donors are screened for the virus prior to donation. On the other hand, however, organ donors are not screened for the virus, which makes the virus more easily passed on to transplant recipients.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

There are many different symptoms of the West Nile virus. The virus can affect different people in a number of ways. Some may show no symptoms at all while others may show serious symptoms. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 80 percent of people infected with the West Nile virus show no symptoms at all, upwards of 20 percent exhibit mild symptoms, and as few as 1 percent develop serious symptoms and complications from infection.

The more serious symptoms are most likely to be present in those 50 years of age and older who get sick after becoming infected. Some of the symptoms that may be present in those who become sick include:

Mild Symptoms: typically last three days to a week

* Nausea

* Fever

* Diarrhea

* Vomiting

* Headache

* Muscle aches

* Loss of appetite

* Skin rash

Serious Symptoms: these symptoms can last for several weeks with some having permanent effects to the body

* Overall pain

* Severe pounding headaches

* Confusion and disorientation

* High fever

* Muscle twitching and weakness

* Convulsions

* Partial paralysis

* Neurological infections

* Meningitis – inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues

* Encephalitis – inflammation to the spinal cord and surrounding membranes

Treatment of the West Nile Virus

There is not a specific course of treatment for the West Nile virus. Those who suffer from mild symptoms of the virus can expect symptoms to pass on their own and to have a full recovery. However, those who suffer from the more severe symptoms of the virus may need supportive treatments in order to recover. Supportive treatments may include help with being able to breathe, fluids administered intravenously, pain relievers, and nursing care. In rare cases, prolonged care may be needed for those who suffer from severe symptoms or who have permanent damage resulting from the virus.

Control and Prevention of the West Nile Virus

The best way to safeguard yourself and your family from infection of the West Nile virus is to practice control and prevention in and around your home. Some of the preventive measures you could use include:

* Schedule outdoor activities opposite of the times when mosquitoes are most active. They are most active typically in the early evening, at dusk and at dawn.

* Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin and on clothing as well when you are planning to participate in outdoor activities. The best repellents to use will contain the ingredient DEET however, these repellents can be toxic so you should use them with caution and thoroughly read labels.

* A natural mixture of lemon oil and eucalyptus can be used as a repellent on children to avoid the toxicity of using commercial mosquito repellents.

By practicing controlling and preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming infected with the West Nile virus. If you suspect you may have been infected and are experiencing any of the above symptoms you may want to seek a professional diagnosis from your doctor to ensure you get proper care and avoid any of the severe or lingering symptoms of the West Nile virus.

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DISCLAIMER: All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a guarantee of any success. This information has been previously researched but you should do your own research to expand your knowledge. This should not be consider as medical advice.