Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. West Nile virus. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Diagnostic Testing. Minus Related Pages. Recovery from severe illness might take several weeks or months.
Some effects to the central nervous system might be permanent. About 1 out of 10 people who develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system die. Diagnosis See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above. Your healthcare provider can order tests to look for West Nile virus infection. To learn more about testing, visit our Healthcare Providers page.
Treatment No vaccine or specific medicines are available for West Nile virus infection. Doctors will carefully monitor the child's blood pressure, heart rate and breathing to prevent further brain inflammation from occurring. Medications a child might receive include corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling and anticonvulsants to prevent or control seizures.
Avoiding mosquito bites is the easiest and most effective way to prevent West Nile virus in children. The steps you can take to protect your child include:. Using insect repellent is the easiest and most effective way to avoid mosquito bites. Products with up to 30 percent DEET are safe to use on children 2 months of age and older, although experts from the AAP do not recommend using it in infants less than 2 months old. DEET should also not be applied to the face or hands of young children.
For Patients. Contact the Division of Infectious Diseases Fax How is West Nile Virus diagnosed? Repellents containing a higher concentration of active ingredient such as DEET provide longer-lasting protection.
Read the directions to find out how long your product will last. Most people infected with the West Nile virus will have only mild symptoms. However, if any of the following serious symptoms develop, seek medical attention right away:. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. But, the virus can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as: Encephalitis inflammation of the brain Meningitis inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord Meningoencephalitis inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membrane What causes West Nile virus?
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus? These are the most common symptoms of West Nile fever: Fever Headache Body aches Skin rash on trunk of body Swollen lymph glands The more severe form of the West Nile virus affects mostly older adults.
It occurs when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and can cause: Headache High fever Neck stiffness Stupor a state of impaired consciousness, extreme lethargy, and reduced reactivity to outside stimuli Disorientation Coma Tremors Convulsions Muscle weakness Paralysis The symptoms of West Nile virus may look like other conditions or health problems.
What are the risk factors for West Nile virus? How is West Nile virus diagnosed? Your doctor will order a blood test to check for antibodies to the West Nile virus. He or she may also do a lumbar puncture to test cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection.
How is West Nile virus treated? Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on: How old you are Your overall health and medical history How sick you are How well you can handle specific medications, procedures, or therapies How long the condition is expected to last Your opinion or preference There's no specific treatment for West Nile virus-related diseases. If a person gets the more severe form of the disease, West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, treatment may include intensive supportive therapy, such as: Hospitalization Intravenous IV fluids Breathing support ventilator Prevention of other infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections Nursing care What are the complications of West Nile virus?
However, the virus can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as Encephalitis inflammation of the brain Meningitis inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord Meningoencephalitis inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membrane Can West Nile virus be prevented? If you spray your clothing, there's no need to spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing. When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants treated with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.
Don't directly apply repellents containing permethrin to exposed skin. Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening. These are peak hours for mosquito bites, especially those mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus. Limit the number of places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by getting rid of standing water sources from around your home. To boost your protection from insect repellent, remember: Sweating, or water may call for reapplication of the product.
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