Question 1

do i have west nile virus?

Accepted Answer

West Nile Virus: West Nile virus infection typically begins with the abrupt onset of fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, and flu-like symptoms. If these are things you are experiencing, then reach our promptly to your physician to be evaluated and treated as early intervention is valuable in preventing long term complications.

Question 2

how does west nile virus spread?

Accepted Answer

Mosquitoes: Summer and early fall.  It does not seem to be catching person-to-person.

Question 3

what does west nile virus look like?

Accepted Answer

Very variable: In most cases, no actual symptoms, and in those who do get sick, very similar to a flu-like problem with generalized aching, low grade temp.  Far less common, especially in immunologically suppressed folks, can cause brain and spinal cord inflammation which could be deadly, or leave a patient with arm or leg weakness (like a poliomyelitis).

Question 4

how dangerous is the west nile virus?

Accepted Answer

West nile virus: This can be very dangerous as it causes a viral encephalitis. This can result in coma and death.

Question 5

how is the west nile virus transmitted?

Accepted Answer

West Nile Virus: Typically,  west nile virus spreads to humans via infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.  You can not get infected by touching or kissing a person with the virus.  In some cases, the virus may be spread by organ transplantation and blood transfusions.

Question 6

what r some symptoms of west nile virus?

Accepted Answer

Fever and ...: Headache, tiredness, body aches, swollen lymph glands, maybe a skin rash. But when the infection leads to a severe disease, symptoms would include headache, high fever, neck tightness, disorientation, muscle weakness and paralysis. Most people who get infected with the wnv will not develop symptoms.

Question 7

how common is west nile virus in the us?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon: In 2010, the CDC reported 1021 proved cases in the USA, with 629 being neuroinvasive.  If we take the retrospective studies of who has antibodies and suppose that one person in 100 who meets the virus will get some clinically-diagnosable brain disease, that it around 60,000 cases, the large majority never knowing they were infected.

Question 8

is there  a test fo the west nile virus ?

Accepted Answer

This is new test: The west nile virus IgM capture elisa is intended for use in patients with clinical symptoms consistent with viral encephalitis/meningitis.
Most tests take time to show infection. This is much faster.

Question 9

how can you transmit the west nile virus?

Accepted Answer

You can't: It is not catching person-to-person.  The reservoir is birds.  You can do what you can to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

Question 10

how would i know if i had west nile virus?

Accepted Answer

Get tested: Without knowing anything about your symptoms the only comment I can make is Get yourself tested.

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West nile virus

A member asked:

Do i have west nile virus?

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How does west nile virus spread?

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What does west nile virus look like?

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How dangerous is the west nile virus?

A member asked:

How is the west nile virus transmitted?

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What r some symptoms of west nile virus?

A member asked:

How common is west nile virus in the us?

A member asked:

Is there a test fo the west nile virus ?

A member asked:

How can you transmit the west nile virus?

A member asked:

How would i know if i had west nile virus?

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