Can You Survive West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus(WNV)feveris the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States and is declared as a notifiable disease by the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention. Infected culex or anopheles mosquito bites are vectors for the virus.

Although the peak season for WNV cases differs in various US states, cases of WNV occur mostly during the summer and continue through fall. The disease does not occur with the human-to-human transmission, which means an infected person will not infect other humans.

Symptoms of the disease are seen after an incubation period of two to six days and most commonly present as:

• Vagueheadache
• Bodypain
• Fatigue
• Myalgia(muscle pain)
• Arthralgia(joint pain)
• A transient reddishrashover the body

Signs of the serious disease include:

• Development ofmeningitis:Headache,neck stiffness, high fever,sensitivity to light, irritability, and convulsions
• Development ofencephalitis:High fever,headache, abnormal posture, abnormal involuntary movements of the limbs, change in personality,seizures/convulsions, disorientation, andcoma
• Acute flaccid paralysis:Inability to move the limb

Long-term effects on people who survive theWest Nile virusare still under research. Younger age, however, is a positive factor when it comes to long-term recovery and prognosis.

Although most people recover completely, some report that arthralgia andfatiguemay persist for months after the infection.

In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many survivors reported the following even 12 months after infection:

• constant muscle weakness,
• lack of concentration,
• tremors,
• depression,
• confusion, and
• feeling lightheaded.

Others reported repeatedheadaches, memory fog, and inability to recollect names of things and people.

In most cases, the infection provides you with lifelong immunity.

Most doctors agree that it is not common to get theWest Nile virus(WNV) twice. However, WNV may persist for years in the kidneys, brain, spinal fluid, and blood of people who were immunocompromised.

These people may continue to get symptoms such asfatigueand memory issues.

Because there is neither medicine norvaccineto prevent West Nile virus (WNV), prevention and mosquito control is the best possible cure against WNF. The disease is managed symptomatically.

• Hydration and rest are the cornerstones of therapy.
• Acetaminophenandibuprofenare given for fever and myalgia.
• Multivitaminsmay be prescribed for fatigue andbrain fog.

Cases of acute flaccid paralysis andmeningitisare managed in intensive care settings where intravenous fluid administration,electrolytemanagement, and vitals can be monitored.

The only way to prevent WNV is to protect yourself from mosquito bites, which can be accomplished by the following methods:

• Use of EPA–approved insect repellents:
  • These include N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone and should be applied to clothes or over the skin when outdoors.
  • They are safe for kids andpregnantandbreastfeedingwomen when used as per directions.
  • Exercisethe following caution while using insect repellents:
    • Never spray on the child’s hands, eyes and mouth.
    • Never apply them overcutsor irritated skin.
    • OLE and PMD are contraindicated in children younger than three years of age.
    • Adults must spray the repellent on their hands and then apply it to the child’s face.
• Clothing:
  • Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and footwear that cover the foot and ankle can help prevent mosquito bites.
  • A mosquito net that covers strollers and baby carriers are important to protectbabies.
• Mosquito screens:
  • Use mosquito screens on windows and doors, while repairing holes in the screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
  • 当n you stay in hotels, prefer rooms with air conditioning andsleepunder a mosquito net.
• 蚊子控制:
  • To stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water, it is important to clear out stagnant water sources in or near your house.
  • These include water vases, potted plants, tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
  • You may spray these areas one time a week with insect repellents.