What are the signs and symptoms of West Nile?
What are the signs and symptoms of West Nile?
Most people (8 out of 10) infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. Febrile illness (fever) in some people. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
How long before symptoms of West Nile appear?
Symptoms usually appear two to six days after the bite of an infected mosquito, but can appear up to 15 days after exposure. In people with compromised immune systems, symptoms may appear up to 21 days after exposure. How is West Nile virus spread? It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Can West Nile virus be cured?
Because it’s a viral condition, West Nile virus doesn’t have a cure. But you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to relieve symptoms of West Nile virus such as muscle aches and headaches.
Which of the following is used to diagnose West Nile encephalitis?
The most common test used is polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which detects viral genetic material (nucleic acids) from multiple types of tissue and fluids. WADDL uses the real time PCR test for WNV. PCR is the preferred test for West Nile encephalitis in horses after death.
What are the long term effects of West Nile virus?
The most common long-term effects are depression, tremors, fatigue, memory problems, extremity weakness, word-finding difficulty and headaches. Since WNV arrived in North America in 1999, it has become the most common arboviral infection in the continent.
What does West Nile do to humans?
West Nile virus can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans. However, approximately 80% of people who are infected will not show any symptoms. West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus can cause severe disease and death in horses.
Is West Nile virus treatable?
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus (WNV) disease; clinical management is supportive. Patients with severe meningeal symptoms often require pain control for headaches and antiemetic therapy and rehydration for associated nausea and vomiting.
How is West Nile diagnosed?
Laboratory diagnosis is generally accomplished by testing of serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to detect WNV-specific IgM antibodies. Immunoassays for WNV-specific IgM are available commercially and through state public health laboratories.