What is the West Nile Virus?

Table of Content

• West Nile Virus Origin and Outbreaks

• Symptoms of West Nile Virus

• Causes of West Nile Virus

• Risk Factors of West Nile Virus

• How to Test for West Nile Virus?

• West Nile Virus Treatment

• West Nile Virus Prevention

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on West Nile Virus

Introduction

Just like malaria and dengue, the West Nile virus is spread through mosquito bites.  Around 70 to 80 per cent of those who catch this viral infection don't show any symptoms. Around 20 per cent show milder symptoms and only 10 per cent of people develop serious complications. In this article, you will get to know about the symptoms, treatments and prevention tips for the West Nile virus.  

West Nile Virus Origin and Outbreaks

The first West Virus outbreak occurred in Uganda in 1937. From here, it spread to the United States causing heavy losses to human lives. Other than the United States, other countries which saw this virus outbreaks are Canada, Israel, Romania, Greece, Italy and Spain. 

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

The early signs of viral infection will show up around 3 to 14 days after being bitten by the mosquito. Most of the infections would not be severe. But if you catch a serious infection, you may experience:

• Confusion

• Febrile illness (Fever) 

• Numbness 

• Vision loss

• Paralysis

• Convulsions 

• Muscle weakness 

• Coma 

A severe west Nile virus infection can stay for several weeks and even cause permanent brain damage. 

People catching a less severe west Nile virus infection often confuse their symptoms with flu. Some of the prominent signs of mild west Nile infection include, 

• Headache 

• Nausea

• Vomiting 

• Body aches

• Fever

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Rashes

Causes of West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes as vectors with birds being the host between humans and mosquitoes. The infection is spread when the mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human being. On rare occasions, the infections can also occur during blood transfusions, organ transplants, pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Risk Factors of West Nile Virus

Anyone can get serious symptoms of West Nile virus but these are some of the risk factors that increase the incidence of suffering fatal infections, 

• Older age

• Diabetes 

• Kidney issues

• Cancer 

• Compromised immune system

How to Test for West Nile Virus?

You can get tested for west nile infection just by doing a simple blood test. The blood indicates the infection through the genetic material or antibodies associated with the virus. 

If you show symptoms of brain damage, your healthcare provider may do a lumbar puncture (extracting fluid from the spine to count WBCs), MRI and other imaging tests to know the extent of brain swelling and inflammation. 

West Nile Virus Treatment

There isn't a specific vaccine discovered yet for treating the West Nile virus. So, the best possible ways available for treating the viral infection are rest, fluids and OTC pain medicines. If you catch serious infections, you need immediate hospitalization as there is a risk of brain damage. 

West Nile Virus Prevention 

The biggest risk of the west nile virus is the mosquito. So, staying away from the disease requires protecting yourself from mosquito bites. Here are some effective ways to safeguard yourself. 

• Apply insect repellents like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Lemon Eucalyptus oil, Para menthane diol and 2-undecanoate. 

• Keep your place hygienic and clean so that they don't become the breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

• Always sleep with mosquito nets covered on your bed. 

• For babies, dress them up with full sleeves and cover their strollers with mosquito nets.

Take-Home Points

• West Nile virus spreads through mosquito bites. 

• Serious infections from the West Nile virus can cause brain damage, coma and death. 

• The possible treatments for this viral infection are fluids, rest and pain medications. 

References 

West Nile Virus - Biology, Transmission and Human Infection 

West Nile Virus History