Table of Contents
What are the first signs of West Nile virus?
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Body aches.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Skin rash.
How long does it take for symptoms of West Nile virus to show up?
Most people infected with West Nile virus have only mild, flu-like symptoms that last a few days. Symptoms usually appear within 3 to 14 days of infection. About 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever.
How do you treat West Nile virus?
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus (WNV) disease; clinical management is supportive. Patients with severe meningeal symptoms often require pain control for headaches and antiemetic therapy and rehydration for associated nausea and vomiting.
How do you die from West Nile virus?
In one in every 150 infections, the virus gets into the brain (encephalitis) or into the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). This is what the CDC calls “neuroinvasive” West Nile disease. About 10% of people who get West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis die.
What part of the body does West Nile virus affect?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that can attack the nervous system of animals and humans. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue.
How long does West Nile virus stay in your body?
Your body has to fight the infection on its own. In mild cases of West Nile, symptoms usually last for 3 to 6 days, and you can recover at home. If you get a more severe case of West Nile, symptoms can last for weeks or months, and you may need to stay in the hospital so you can get medicine to help you recover.
How does West Nile virus affect the immune system?
WNV can cross the blood–brain barrier by one of several routes, including passive transport through the endothelium, infection of the olfactory neurons, transport by infected immune cells, inflammation-induced disruption of blood–brain barrier integrity, and direct axonal retrograde transport from infected peripheral …
Does West Nile virus stay in your system?
The findings of this study suggest that, in some people, West Nile virus may persist in the kidneys. There have been a few reports of persistent West Nile virus found in brain, spinal fluid, and blood of people who were immunocompromised.
How do you cure West Nile virus?
Treatment. There is no specific cure for West Nile virus. In mild cases, you should use the same remedies you would for other viruses, such as the flu: drinking plenty of water and fluids, resting in bed, and taking medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve fever and discomfort.
What is the prognosis for West Nile virus?
West Nile Virus Infection Prognosis. Most people fully recover. In others, particularly the elderly and some young children, the disease can progress to cause encephalitis, meningitis, permanent neurological defects, and infrequently, death.
What is the prognosis of West Nile?
West Nile fever generally has an excellent prognosis. Most WNV infections (60%-75%) are asymptomatic and self-limited.
Can You Survive West Nile virus?
Answer Wiki. If you become infected with the West Nile virus and then survive (and most people will survive), you should expect to have some level of immunity to that virus, thereafter. That protection may be life-long, but it may wane somewhat with time. Probably best to avoid getting infected twice, or even once.