Do I Have The West Nile Virus?

Have you been bitten by mosquitoes recently?

Do you have a skin rash?

Do you have fever?

Do you have a headache?

Do you have nausea or vomiting?

Do you have a diarrhea?

Have you lost your appetite?

Do you have swollen lymph nodes (lymph glands)?

Do you have an achy feeling in the back and muscles?

Do you feel weakness or fatigue?

Do you have a sudden high fever (above 102°F) or a stiff neck?

Do you feel confused or disorientated?

Do you have tremors or muscle jerking, or seizures?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have the West Nile virus. The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that is quite common in the continental United States. People can become infected with the West Nile virus (WNV) when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Majority of cases of WNV are reported during the warm weather in summer and fall, when it is mosquito season. Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel ill, or have very mild symptoms. About 1 in 5 infected people will develop a mild infection known as the West Nile fever.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have the West Nile virus. The West Nile virus is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. People infected with the West Nile virus (WNV) usually have no symptoms, but 1 in 150 infected people will develop a serious illness. There is no vaccine to prevent this condition and there are no specific medications to treat WNV. So, the best and only way to protect your self is to use a mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites. Diagnosis is based on your symptoms, physical examination and blood tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have the West Nile virus. The West Nile virus is a contagious disease spread by mosquitoes. It usually causes flu-like symptoms, but in rare cases the virus can enter the brain causing meningitis, encephalitis and serious complications. To diagnose WNV and possible presence of West Nile-related illness your doctor will conduct a physical examination, and order blood tests, spinal tap and brain tests such as electroencephalography (EEG) or an MRI scan. Most people recover from WNV without treatment or with the help of the symptom management therapy. In severe cases, people must be hospitalized.