West Nile

The West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Many people don’t get sick from West Nile Virus but there are still people that end up in the hospital. To confirm that you are infected, they will take a blood sample and analyze it. People can do simple things in their yard to lower their risk of getting West Nile Virus.

West Nile was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of northern Uganda in 1937. Then in 1957, there was an outbreak in elderly patients in Israel. The first appearance of this virus in North America was in New York City in 1999.Since then it has spread into Canada and is known in 5 provinces including Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Around 80% of people that get infected with West Nile Virus do not show symptoms and probably will never know they had it. The other 20% will show mild symptoms such as headache, fever, vomiting and nausea. They can also have body aches and sometimes their lymph nodes swell as well as a rash on the back, stomach and chest. These symptoms typically only last a few days but they can last for weeks. Only about 1% of people that get infected with the virus will get severely sick. These severe symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness and paralysis. These symptoms can last several weeks. There may be neurological effects caused, and these are permanent. The two most severe diseases caused by the virus are meningitis and encephalitis, though this is mainly seen in people over 50 years of age.

There is not a specific treatment for the West Nile Virus. People who get mild symptoms usually don’t do anything and the symptoms pass on their own. Treatment for a mild case usually focuses on relieving the symptoms. This can happen by taking over the counter pain medication to help relieve the pain. The people that end up having a more severe case will end up having to go to the hospital. In most cases of severe West Nile, the patient will have an IV for fluids. There also is the possibility for them to have to have a respirator.

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