A Quick Guide to the West Nile Virus

By CH Woods

West Nile virus is the result of being infected with a virus carried by mosquitoes.

The majority of people infected with the West Nile virus do not usually suffer from any symptoms, though in uncommon cases a person may suffer from minor conditions like a headache or low fever.

On the other hand, there are rare cases where people who are infected with West Nile virus end up with a deadly condition that involves the inflammation of their brain. Minor symptoms of the West Nile virus infection typically start to disappear without any type of treatment, however severe symptoms, like a high fever, overall weakness, and migraines, will need instant medical attention or else death might become a possibility.

Needless to say, being bitten by mosquitoes where West Nile virus is found raises your chances of being infected with it. Make sure you properly protect yourself from mosquitoes with mosquito repellent and by putting on clothing that covers most of your skin in order lower your risk.

Signs of the West Nile Virus
As mentioned, typically there are no signs or symptoms that come with West Nile virus. Roughly one out of five people will develop a condition known as West Nile fever, which includes several symptoms apart from a fever, such as:

• Skin Rashes
• Headaches
• Body Aches
• Back Pain
• Swollen Lymph Glands
• Eye Pain
• Fatigue

It is estimated that one out of one hundred people infected with the West Nile virus will suffer from severe brain infections. This kind of infection can include brain inflammation along with swelling of the membranes around the brain.

Severe infections might also include problems such as inflammation and contamination of the membranes around your spinal cord and severe flaccid (soft, limp, or lacking firmness) paralysis.

Indications of these complications can include:

• Partial Paralysis
• Pain
• Migraines
• Stiff Neck
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Loss of Balance
• Tremors
• Muscle Spasms
• Muscle Weakness
• High Fever

Symptoms of West Nile fever typically keep going for a couple of days, however the signs of brain inflammation along with similar conditions can stick around for weeks at a time. There are cases where certain symptoms, mainly muscle weakness, last for the rest of your life.

West Nile Virus Prevention Tips
The best way to protect against West Nile virus along with other mosquito-related diseases would be to steer clear of them entirely. In order to prevent the West Nile virus, you need to eliminate any breeding grounds nearby.

To reduce your risk one should:

• Do away with any used tires or old containers that can hold water which act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Get rid of any standing water in your yard since mosquitoes reproduce in standing water. 
• Regularly change the water in your birdbaths.
• Empty out your swimming pool if it is no longer in use.
• Clean out your roof gutters to prevent breeding.

In order to reduce your chances of coming in contact with mosquitoes, you should: 

• Put on fully sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are traveling through mosquito-infested areas.
• Wear mosquito repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Select the concentration according to the length of time you need the protection for. 
• Refrain from taking part in avoidable outdoor pastimes during times when mosquitoes are out which includes dawn, dusk and the evening. 
• Whenever you are outside, protect your infant's baby stroller or playpen with a mosquito netting to keep them out.

When to See A Medical Professional
Minor symptoms of the West Nile fever typically get better by themselves. In the event you suffer from symptoms like a stiff neck, loss of balance, confusion, or a severe headache then make sure you seek professional medical care as quickly as possible. 
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CH Woods is the Executive Director of Organic and Environmental Products
We provide organic and natural products with informative articles on health and environmental solutions.