Q: What is the West Nile virus?
A: West
Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation
of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining
of the brain and spinal cord.)
Q: How
is West Nile virus spread?
A: West
Nile virus is spread to human by the bite of an infected mosquito.
A mosquito becomes infected by biting a bird that carries the
virus. You or your child cannot get West Nile virus from a
person who has the disease. West Nile virus is not spread by
person-to-person contact such as touching, kissing, or caring
for someone who is infected.
Q: What
are the symptoms of West Nile viral infection?
A: Most
people who are infected with the West Nile virus either have
no symptoms or experience mild illness such as fever, headache,
and body aches before fully recovering. Some persons also develop
a mild rash or swollen lymph glands. In some individuals, particularly
the elderly, West Nile virus can cause disease that affects
the brain tissue. At its most serious, it can cause permanent
neurological damage and can be fatal. Symptoms of encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) include the rapid onset of severe
headache, high fever, stiff neck, confusion, loss of consciousness
(coma), or muscle weakness, and may be fatal
.
Q: Can you get West Nile virus
from another person?
A: No. West Nile virus
is NOT transmitted from person to person. For example,
you cannot get West Nile virus from touching or kissing a person
who has the disease, or from a health care worker who has treated
someone with the disease.
Q: How long does it take to get sick if bitten
by an infected mosquito?
A: Being bitten by
an infected mosquito will not necessarily make you sick. Most
people who are infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms
or experience only mild illness. If illness were to occur, it
would occur within 3 to 15 days of being bitten by an infected
mosquito.
Q: I've been bitten by a mosquito.
Should I be tested for West Nile virus?
A: No.
Illnesses related to mosquito bites are still uncommon. However,
you should see a doctor immediately if you develop symptoms such
as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe headaches,
stiff neck, or if your eyes become sensitive to light. Patients
with mild symptoms should recover completely, and do not require
any specific medication or laboratory testing.
Q: How
is West Nile encephalitis treated?
A: There
is no specific therapy. In more severe cases, intensive supportive
therapy is indicated, i.e., hospitalization, intravenous (IV)
fluids and nutrition, airway management, ventilatory support
(ventilator) if needed, prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia,
urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.
Q: What proportion of people
die when infected with West Nile virus?
A: Fewer than 1% of people
infected with West Nile virus develop encephalitis, and among
those hospitalized with West Nile encephalitis, the case fatality
rate changes from 3% to 15%. Therefore, fewer than 1 in 1,000
people infected with West Nile virus die.
Q: Is there
a vaccine against West Nile virus?
A: No. A vaccine
for West Nile virus does not exist. |