West Nile Virus carriers may not show symptoms

Pamela Egan Practical Practitioner

 

By: Pamela Egan, FNP-C CDE

 


 

West Nile Virus carriers may not show symptoms

 

 

Could I be infected with West Nile Virus and not know it?

 

The short answer is yes. Based on research done in New York City, experts now suspect that a larger percentage of people who are exposed to the virus get infected. But fewer than 20 percent of them show any symptoms at all; and less than 1 percent go on to develop severe illness.

West Nile Virus is a relatively new virus that was first detected in the United States in New York City in 1999. You can get West Nile Virus if you are bitten by an infected mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected by feeding on an infected bird or animal. The virus then hides out in the mosquito’s salivary glands. When the mosquito feeds on you (or a bird or animal), the virus can be passed on.

The majority of people who are infected with the virus do not have any symptoms and most of the rest have minor flu-like symptoms. In some cases, especially in the elderly, the virus may lead to a serious condition called encephalitis, in which the brain becomes inflamed and swollen.

It is worth taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. A major reason why public health agencies are concerned about West Nile virus is that it is a new infection that has been spreading to different parts of the country. A new case was discovered in the New Orleans area in the last few weeks. The earlier there is awareness of this disease, the more we can limit its harmful effects in the future.

There is a blood test that can check for antibodies to West Nile Virus. Experts estimate that less 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness, and only 3-15 percent of severely ill people will die as a result. In people who develop severe illness, West Nile virus multiplies in that individual’s blood system following transmission by an infected mosquito. The virus then travels to the brain. It interferes with normal brain functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue called encephalitis.

It is important to remember that less than 1 percent of mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus. In rare cases where a bug bite leads to infection, one may experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, occasionally a skin rash and/or swollen lymph glands. More severe infections may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and rarely, death. The time it takes between getting infected and developing symptoms is usually between three and 15 days.

If you suspect you may have been infected by West Nile Virus, contact your healthcare provider. Right now, there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. In the more severe cases, intensive supportive treatment, including being admitted to the hospital, intravenous fluids, breathing support and prevention of other infections, is used to control the symptoms while the person recovers.

This article was originally published May 6, 2002 in The St. Tammany News.

 

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