I contracted west nile virus. am i at risk for viral meningitis?

West Nile Virus: In less than 1% of infected people, the virus causes a serious neurological infection. These infections include encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, meningitis, and west nile poliomyelitis.

Yes: There is often a encephalitis or meningitis component to this disease. However, in the vast majority of people with disease, there is no neurological symptoms. If you are immunocompromised (very young, very old, have hiv, etc) then you may be more susceptible. If you have fever, headaches, fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, you may be showing central nervous system signs and symptoms.

Risk is not high: Most people don’t have sx’s w West Nile virus. Mild sx’s occur in about 20% of people. About 1% have severe illness which can include neurological problems. Severe illness can include problems like encephalitis, meningitis or complete flaccid paralysis.