What are considered West Nile virus symptoms?
Most people with West Nile virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of West Nile virus is generally mild and includes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, tiredness, neck and back stiffness, joint pain, swollen glands and a rash. Only about 2 out of 10 people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. However, serious illness such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) are possible. People older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. Also, people with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, cancer or organ transplants are most at risk for the infection.
