West Nile Virus Infection

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• West Nile virus infection is a disease that is carried by mosquitoes and is caused by the West Nile virus (WNV). This virus (germ) mainly affects birds, but can also infect people. People usually get the virus when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. A person with WNV infection may pass it to another person through blood transfusions or organ transplants. An infected mother may pass the virus to her unborn child or to her nursing baby through breast feeding.
  
  
• Most people who get a WNV infection do not have any signs or symptoms. People who develop West Nile fever may have mild symptoms and may feel like they have the flu. A fever with signs or symptoms of brain, spinal cord, or nerve problems is seen with a severe WNV infection. These problems may include acting or talking differently than normal, trouble thinking clearly, seizures (convulsions), or severe weakness. A WNV infection may be diagnosed by a lumbar puncture, blood tests, and other imaging tests. Treatment includes treating the signs and symptoms of this disease, as well as its complications. WNV infection may be prevented by controlling human and mosquito contact. With treatment, such as medicines, you may have a greater chance of having a full recovery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Prevent mosquito contact:

• Avoid mosquito bites:
  
  
  • Apply an insect repellant containing DEET (active ingredient) to your skin and clothing. An insect repellant helps to keep mosquitoes away. You may also apply an insect repellant containing permethrin (active ingredient) on clothes. Infants, who are less than two months old, should use repellants with 30 percent DEET or less. Always read and follow the instructions on the label when using an insect repellant. Do not use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants who may rub their eyes or mouth.
    
    
  • Do not go outside, especially at dawn (sunrise) and dusk (sunset). Mosquitoes feed most actively during these times. Avoid activities in places where mosquitoes are usually present.
    
    
  • Put screens on all windows and the outside doors of your house.
    
    
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to keep your skin covered.
  
  
• Control mosquito breeding: Mosquitoes lay their eggs and mature in water. It is important not to have any standing water around. You may do the following to decrease mosquito breeding:
  
  
  • Avoid leaving containers that can collect water in an uncovered or upright position. These containers may include wheelbarrows, drums, buckets, or cans. Properly store any open containers that are not being used, such as buckets and cans.
    
    
  • Change water in animal feeders every few days.
    
    
  • Put holes in containers that cannot be thrown out to drain water. Fill in any potholes, patches, and other areas where water is likely to get stagnant. Regularly check ponds, birdbaths, animal feeders, drinking troughs, and other bodies of standing water.
    
    
  • Drain or pump out standing water from newly made swimming pools that are not in use, rain gutters, and ditches.
    
    
  • Use aeration, wherever possible, as a way to prevent mosquito growth. One way to use aeration is to constantly circulate water, which does not allow water to become stagnant. Circulating water also prevents mosquitoes from laying their eggs and maturing.

Rehabilitation:

Rehabilitation, or rehab, is a program to help you return to normal life as much as possible. Rehab helps you regain and relearn the skills of everyday living. You may need any of the following:

• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy (OT) uses work, self-care, and other normal daily activities to help you function better in your daily life. OT helps you develop skills to improve your ability to bathe, dress, cook, eat, and drive. You may learn to use special tools to help you with your daily activities. You may also learn new ways to keep your home or workplace safe.
  
  
• Physical therapy: You may need to see a physical therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises help improve movement and decrease pain. Physical therapy can also help improve strength and decrease your risk for loss of function.
  
  
• Speech therapy: A speech therapist may work with you to help you talk.

Rest:

Rest when you feel it is needed. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed.

For more information:

Accepting that you have West Nile virus infection may be hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, sad, or angry. These are normal feelings. Contact the following for more information about WNV infection:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/
  

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
  NIAID Office of Communications & Government Relations
  6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
  Bethesda , MD 20892-6612
  Phone: 1- 301 - 496-5717
  Phone: 1- 866 - 284-4107
  Web Address: www3.niaid.nih.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• If your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, care, or recovery.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You become confused, act differently than normal, or it is harder than normal to wake you up.
  
  
• You have a bad headache, stiff neck, or trouble thinking clearly.
  
  
• You have seizures (convulsions).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• Your symptoms are getting worse or coming back.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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