West Nile Virus
by
Rebecca J. Stahl, MA DefinitionWest Nile virus (WNV) is an infection that is most commonly spread by a mosquito bite. In rare cases, WNV can lead to serious complications, or death. This infection is found worldwide. In the US, it tends to occur during late summer and early fall. CausesWest Nile is caused by a virus. The virus is passed through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can also be passed through a blood transfusion with infected blood, but this is rare. Risk FactorsThe greatest risk factors for WNV are spending time in areas where mosquitoes are present and not using insect repellent. The risk of complications with WNV is highest in people:
SymptomsMost people with WNV have no symptoms. About 20% of the people who become infected with WNV develop flu-like symptoms such as:
Symptoms may appear within 2-6 days and can last from a few days to several weeks. A small number of people with WNV will develop serious, neurological symptoms. These symptoms may include:
These serious symptoms need immediate medical care. DiagnosisIn addition to taking your medical history and doing a physical exam, your doctor will ask you:
A blood test is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of WNV. Depending on the symptoms that you have, your doctor may order other tests, such as:
TreatmentTreatment for WNV focuses on supportive care. Depending on your symptoms your doctor may recommend:
If you are dehydrated, you may need to drink an oral rehydration solution or have fluid delivered through an IV. Treatment for severe symptoms may include:
PreventionThe best preventive measure is to avoid mosquito bites. Prevention steps include:
Mosquitoes pick up the WNV by biting infected birds. If you see a dead bird, call the public health department. Do not touch the dead bird unless you are wearing disposable gloves. RESOURCES:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov Infectious Diseases Society of America http://www.idsociety.org References:
Mosquito avoidance. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115142/Mosquito-avoidance
. Updated November 21, 2016. Accessed December 7, 2017.
West Nile virus infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated November 6, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017.
West Nile virus: What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html. Updated December 5, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017. Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
David L. Horn, MD, FACP Last Updated: 12/20/2014 | |
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