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.
* * *
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.
Measles: A Disease Most Common in Children
By CH Woods
Measles is a viral infection that usually infects children. A Virus is a submicroscopic parasitic particle of a nucleic acid surrounded by protein that can only replicate within a host cell. In the past this disease was fairly common while nowadays it can be avoided thanks to vaccinations. Symptoms of the measles often include a runny nose, skin rash, cough, sore throat, swollen eyes, and a fever.
The measles can seriously harm young children and can be fatal. Although the death rates are declining as more and more children are getting measles vaccine, this disease continues to kill thousands of people per year, the majority of them being children five years old and younger.
By the year 2000, the measles vaccine had practically removed measles from the United States. Even so, the measles does still affect people since many parents have not yet vaccinated their children.
Symptoms of Measles: The symptoms of measles tend to show up one to two weeks after being infected with the virus.
Typical symptoms of this disease normally include:
- Fever
- Runny Nose
- Light Sensitivity
- Dry Cough
- Swollen Eyes
- Skin Rashes
- Sore Throat
- Koplik's Spots (Bumps within the mouth)
Risk Factors Linked to Measles
- Vitamin A Deficiency: If you lack vitamin A in your diet then you are more prone to developing measles in addition to having symptoms that are more severe.
- No Vaccination: Those who have yet to receive a vaccination for measles are at a much higher risk for catching it.
- International Travel: Unvaccinated people who visit other countries where measles occur naturally are at greater risk of getting the disease.
- Measles Complications: Measles can cause all sorts of complications, such as:
- Bronchitis and Laryngitis: Measles may result in the inflammation of your or swelling of the internal walls of your lungs. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, usually accompanied by hoarseness and coughing.
- Low Platelet Count: Measles may result in a reduction in platelets, which is the type of blood cells used for blood clotting.
- Ear Infection: Probably the most typical complication caused by the measles is an ear infection.
- Pregnancy Difficulties: Women who are pregnant will need to take special care in order to prevent measles since the condition could potentially cause low birth weight, pre-term labor, and pregnancy loss.
- Encephalitis: Around one in one thousand of those who have problems with measles will eventually have encephalitis, or an inflamed brain, which can cause symptoms like convulsions, coma, vomiting, and in some cases death. Encephalitis will either develop right after the measles occur or can take place several months after.
- Pneumonia: Pneumonia is another common complication of the measles. Those who have weakened immune systems are at a much higher risk for developing fatal cases of pneumonia
Relieve Symptoms With These Tips: If you have the measles, make sure to pay close attention to how the disease develops and watch out for possible complication.
Furthermore, to make yourself more comfortable you should follow the steps listed below:
- Rest Often: Get the proper rest and get away from busy activities.
- Make Use of a Humidifier: You should use a humidifier to alleviate a sore throat and cough.
- Drink Liquids: Make sure you drink a lot of water, tea, and natural fruit juices in order to replace fluids that were lost due to sweating and fever.
- Relax Your Eyes: If you find bright light to be irritating, as lots of people with measles do, keep the light levels low or put on sunglasses.
Additionally, refrain from watching television or using the computer since the light produced from the screens can be bothersome as well.
When to See Your Doctor: Contact your doctor if you believe you might have come in contact with the measles or if you have a rash that appears similar to the condition.
---
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
