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Doctor insights on: Medicine For West Nile Encephalitis

Virus: It is a virus that affects the brain, spread by mosquitos. ...Read more

Mosquito bites: West nile virus must be produced in high numbers before being passed through mosquitoes. Birds are far and away the most frequent carriers. Robins look like they might be responsible for spread all over the country. Mosquitoes have to feed on the infected robin and then pass the virus on to human beings through a bite. ...Read more

West Nile: West nile infection is confirmed by testing blood or cerebral spinal fluid for an IgM antibody specific to the virus. It is recommended that all cases with a positive test result be confirmed by testing at the center for disease control or by the state health department. ...Read more

NO, except....: The virus is vector-borne through mosquitoes. However, in a special case featured several years ago in the new england journal of medicine, an article described a case where recipients of organs harvested from a west nile virus-infected donor, became ill with west nile virus. ...Read more

West nile disease: West nile encephalitis affects about 1 in 150 people who are infected with the virus. It may manifest with fever, stiff neck, headache, confusion, stupor, coma, tremors, seizure, weakness and possibly paralysis. ...Read more

Mosquito bite: West nile occurs in epidemics, usually during summer, and seems to afflict humans and horses most often. Carried by mosquitoes and these bites infect the victim. ...Read more

No: No, there is no west nile vaccine for humans as of yet. ...Read more

Not always: Many previously healthy people who acquire west nile encephalitis will recover. Those most likely to die are the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. ...Read more

Actually uncommon: Most west nile infections are asymptomatic. Some cause mild flu-like symptoms. Full blown infection of brain is rather uncommon in the normal patient and more often seen with immuno-suppression, such as prior transplants, HIV pts, cancer chemotherapy. The polio-myelitis form is even rarer. ...Read more

Yes: West nile virus is caused by an infection transmitted via a mosquito bite. Many people may be exposed to the virus but never develop symptoms. When symptoms do develop, it is typically fever and headache although more severe symptoms may occur. The cdc has info on west nile activity nationwide:
http://www. Cdc. Gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index. Htm. ...Read more

Variable: A case of West Nile virus with encephalitis recover but takes long time, prolonged recuperation and need rehabilitation for a long time. They may have some memory loss or weakness of limbs ...Read more

Hard to say: Some studies have quoted mortality from neuroinvasive cases of wnv ~5%, but this must be a huge overestimate. Maybe 3 in 1000 of all cases are severe (or neuroinvasive), so you might guess less than 1 in 5000 cases die.
Most of the deaths appear to come in the elderly, chronically ill or immunosuppressed.
Treatment is mainly supportive (including intubation & ventilation in severe cases). ...Read more

The non drug treatments for West Nile Virus include:: Supportive care.

Minimal risk: Very few mosquitoes carry west nile virus. Very few people bitten by a carrying mosquito develop symptomatic infection, and very few who are infected develop encephalitis, which may be predisposed to by advanced age, immune suppression by underlying illnesses, etc. Your likelihood of getting sick is very low. ...Read more

Virus pic: This is an electron microscopy shot of the virus. ...Read more

CDC: The cdc keeps close tabs on this virus. Most people who get it aren't symptomatic and will never realize they had it. 1% get a severe neuroinvasive version requiring hospitalization. It has been reported in almost every state. In your state of louisiana there have been 4 neuroinvasive cases of west nile this year.
http://www. Cdc. Gov/westnile/index. Html. ...Read more

You don't: You don't know, because they don't look or feel any different. So it you get sick soon after being exposed to mosquito bites, be sure that you tell your md. ...Read more

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. ...Read more

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

Varies per person.: Symptoms of wnv can include: fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, back pain, skin rash (occasionally), swollen lymph glands (occasionally), eye pain (occasionally), stiff neck, disorientation / confusion, lack of coordination, and possibly seizures. If you are concerned that you could have wnv infection, please see a doctor / health care provider. ...Read more

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. ...Read more

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. ...Read more

Fever: Above 101 would be present.

No: The majority of people who develop west nile virus infections do not have any symptoms. ...Read more

Quite variable: It can range from no symptoms to just fever to headache and fever (meningitis) to confusion, weakness, seizures (encephalitis). ...Read more

It may occur: Most people infected with west nile virus have no symptoms but the minority who develop neurological infection and inflammation will commonly report body aches and exhaustion that go on for weeks to months after the infection. ...Read more

Yes: It's more dangerous for the young and old with weaker immune systems, and it's not common, but it is certainly possible. ...Read more

No: Most people don’t have sx’s w west nile virus. Mild sx’s occur in about 20% of people; which can include fever, eye pain, generalized body aches, headaches, feeling really tired, & possible enlarged lymph nodes or rash. About 1% have severe illness which can include neurologic problems. Possible sx’s include: seizures, severe headache w stiffness of the neck, high fever, confusion & weakness. >. ...Read more

Only 1% have severe: Sx. Most people don’t have sx’s w West Nile virus. Mild sx’s occur in about 20% of people; which can include fever, eye pain, generalized body aches, headaches, feeling really tired, & possible enlarged lymph nodes or rash. About 1% have severe illness which can include neurologic problems. Possible sx’s include: seizures, severe headache w stiffness of neck, high fever, confusion & weakness. ...Read more

Most no symptoms.: 80% of people infected have no symptoms. If you develop symptoms of severe west nile virus illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately, according to the cdc. Severe illness usually requires hospitalization. Milder cases improve on their own and do not necessarily require medical attention. ...Read more