What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection?
Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not become ill. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop mild symptoms of infection including fever, headache, and body aches, and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that one in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus may develop a more severe form of disease. If you are concerned about symptoms you should contact your doctor.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop symptoms. Some people may become ill 3 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Evidence suggests that a minority of infected persons will develop a mild illness with fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes skin rash and swollen glands. There are no known long-term effects due to mild illness. West Nile virus infection infrequently results in a severe illness, however, known as West Nile encephalitis. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that may be marked by headache, high fever, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. A small number of cases have been fatal. Back to Top Click Here for the Latest News on West Nile Virus Back to Top Who is at risk for West Nile virus infection? People are only at risk for becoming infected with West Nile virus when in areas where the virus is circulating in nature. In northern states, this is during the summer
Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of disease. WHAT IS THE INCUBATION PERIOD IN HUMANS (i.e., TIME FROM INFECTION TO ONSET OF DISEASE SYMPTOMS) FOR WEST NILE ENCEPHALITIS? Usually 3 to 14 days. HOW LONG DO SYMPTOMS LAST? Symptoms of mild disease will generally last a few days. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent. IF I HAVE WEST NILE FEVER, CAN IT T
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. Others may have only a mild illness, such as fever and a headache. In rare cases, West Nile virus causes a disease that can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Symptoms usually occur two to 15 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. The symptoms may include slight fever, headache, or rash. However, serious illness is possible, with symptoms such as sudden, severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, coma, and even death. Of 150 persons infected with West Nile virus, only one gets severely ill. Who is at risk for infection with West Nile virus? People who live where West Nile virus has been found in humans, birds, horses, or mosquitoes are at risk for infection. People 50 years of age and older are at greatest risk of getting severe disease. How many people with severe West Nile virus infection die? During the 2002 epidemic, about one in 11 patients with severe illness caused by Wes
