West Nile Virus (WNV)
Symptoms Include Fever Nausea Muscle Weakness and More - List of States Where
Human Infections Are Located
July 7th 2006
|
 |
|
Mosquito |
|
This is the beginning of West Nile Virus (WNV) season and human cases
have been identified in Idaho, Texas, Colorado and Mississippi. Cases
involving other animals have been identified in most of the other
states.
The West Nile Virus could be considered a new phenomenon. It was first
discovered in a febrile adult woman in the West Nile District of Uganda
in 1937. Later it became apparent the virus was responsible for severe
meningitis and encephalitis in elderly patients in Israel in 1957.
Since then it has spread throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East,
west and central Asia, Oceania (subtype Kunjin), and most recently,
North America.
There is a danger of dying from the disease, but this is rare. Most
people that contract it don’t even realize they have it. The Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) says that only one in 150 people infected with
WNV will develop severe illness.
Severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness,
stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness,
vision loss, numbness and paralysis. The symptoms could last for
several weeks and the neurological effects may be permanent (see
a survivors story).
About 20 percent of those infected will have a fever, headaches and body
aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands. Some people
may get skin rashes. About 80 percent of those infected will have no
symptoms. Symptoms will develop between 3 and 14 days after the
infection. If the symptoms include severe headaches or confusion, seek
medical attention immediately.
The season will last through the summer and into the fall. Insect
repellants containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) are effective.
It is best to avoid the outdoors from dusk to dawn. Also remove or
change water weekly from bird baths, tires, swings etc.
Dan Wilson
Best Syndication
Books on Bird Flu Pandemic at Amazon
Keywords and misspellings: nial simptoms anti-biotics anti-virul
virus viral drugs online without a presciption |
