West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus carried by mosquitoes. Most people infected with the virus either don't have symptoms or have only a mild illness. Less than 1 in 100 people who are infected with the virus develop serious illness. Serious forms of illness caused by WNV include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord).
Wild and domestic birds, mainly crows, carry the West Nile virus. Mosquitoes become carriers of the virus when they bite infected birds. Humans can get the virus when they are bitten by infected mosquitoes. There are no known cases of a human getting WNV from an infected bird, only from the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile virus may be spread from person to person by breast-feeding, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. The infection is not spread by normal person-to-person contact like touching, kissing, or caring for someone who is infected. The risk of West Nile virus is seasonal and begins in spring. The peak time for infection is mid- to late August. The risk of severe infection is greatest for people who are over 70 years old or who have a weakened immune system.
About 4 out of 5 infected people have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and last a few days. Common symptoms of WNV infection include:
The infection usually doesn't involve the brain. However, some infected people develop encephalitis or meningitis. Symptoms of these illnesses are:
Some people develop a poliolike syndrome with sudden, painless weakness and paralysis. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 15 days after you were bitten by an infected mosquito.
Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. Tests you may have are:
There is no specific treatment for the West Nile virus. If you have a serious infection, you may need to stay at the hospital. You may be given intravenous (IV) fluids and pain relievers. For severe or life-threatening infection, you may need treatment in an intensive care unit.
Most people infected with WNV do not get seriously ill, and they recover fully. Symptoms of the more serious infections may last for weeks. Damage to the brain or other parts of the nervous system may be permanent. If you get West Nile virus, you will be immune to future infection by the virus, but your immunity might decrease over time.
Rest and take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen if you are having fever, headache, or muscle aches.
Contact your health care provider if:
If you are older and live alone, you may need someone to be checking on you often to make sure your symptoms are not getting worse in ways you may not realize, such as confusion and coma.
Note: Vitamin B and ultrasonic devices DO NOT help prevent mosquito bites.
A vaccine is available to protect horses from West Nile virus. No vaccine is available for humans yet, but several companies are working to develop a human vaccine.
Established in 1929 by Doctor J.K. Bigelow and Doctor D.B. Fowler, the Bigelow Fowler Clinics have been serving Lethbridge and area for over 80 years. Our Clinics are proud to offer full service primary health care at all three of our locations; Bigelow Fowler East Clinic, Bigelow Fowler South Clinic, Bigelow Fowler West Clinic. Our Clinics are home to 24 physicians who continually strive to offer patient friendly, family healthcare to people of all ages, from newborn to geriatric.The Bigelow Fowler Clinics provide a wide range of quality healthcare services including occupational health, sports medicine and physical examinations with x-ray and lab services available at the South and West clinic locations.