Advisory: West Nile Virus Risks are on the raise for this time of year. Please take precautionary measures.

Posted on Monday, August 27, 2012

The West Nile virus like the flu season is here. Take some precautionary measures to protect yourself, family members, and pets from this risk.

Prevention The best way to prevent West Nile virus infection is to avoid mosquito bites.

• Use mosquito-repellant products containing DEET
• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Drain pools of standing water, such as trash bins and plant saucers (mosquitos breed in stagnant water)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The West Nile virus is a type of virus known as a flavivirus. Researchers believe West Nile virus is spread when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a person.

Mosquitoes carry the highest amounts of virus in the early fall, which is why the rate of the disease increases in late August to early September. The risk of disease decreases as the weather becomes colder and mosquitoes die off.

Although mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus bite many people, most do not know they've been exposed. Few people develop severe disease or even notice any symptoms at all.

Risk factors for developing a more severe form of West Nile virus include:

• Conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, organ transplants, and recent chemotherapy
• Older or very young age
• Pregnancy

West Nile virus may also be spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. It is possible for an infected mother to spread the virus to her child through breast milk.

Symptoms Mild disease, generally called West Nile fever, may cause some or all of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Headache
• Lack of appetite
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Vomiting These symptoms usually last for 3 - 6 days.

Expectations (prognosis) In general, the outcome of a mild West Nile virus infection is excellent. For patients with severe cases of West Nile virus infection, the outlook is more uncertain. West Nile encephalitis or meningitis may lead to brain damage and death. Approximately 10% of patients with brain inflammation do not survive.

Complications Complications from mild West Nile virus infection are very rare. Complications from severe West Nile virus infection include:

• Brain damage
• Permanent muscle weakness (sometimes similar to polio)
• Death

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubMed Heath (A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia) Contact Information: Donald Thomson Lake County SD 605-256-7611 lakeema@lakecountysd.com