Written by: Jasnoor Doggar
At the peak of the summer season, the hot and humid weather brings out millions of tiny creatures called mosquitoes. Mosquito bites themselves are very irritating, with the constant pain and itching that come with them. But, along with those inconveniences comes the chance of catching the West Nile Virus.
Originating from the West Nile District in Uganda, this virus is transmitted through mosquito bites (1). This virus can now be found in almost every part of the world that has mosquitoes (1). Making its existence known at the peak of mosquito season, which starts in the summer and subsides in the fall, putting everyone who steps outside at risk (2). However, out of every 5 people infected, only 1 will feel sick and 1 out of 150 will have serious outcomes from this infection (2).
The symptoms associated with this virus include things that can be confused with a normal cold or allergies, such as fever, diarrhea, headaches, muscle aches, and sore throat (1). Because of this, it may be hard to understand whether an individual has caught the West Nile Virus or if it is a common cold or allergies.
But, when a severe version of the West Nile Virus is caught, it can be easily identified by extreme symptoms. This Virus can cause encephalitis and meningitis, which can be characterized by the prominence of a stiff neck, high fever, confusion, weakness, severe headache, and in some cases seizure, paralysis, and coma (1).
Although it is widely known that this virus spreads through mosquito bites, there are other rare ways to contract the virus. The virus has been known to spread through blood transfusions, through human milk, from a pregnant mother to her unborn child, and through organ transplants in rare cases (1). Despite this, it is not contagious from human to human because humans do not obtain high levels of the virus in their bloodstream, which makes them a dead-end host (1,2). The virus can also spread through the consumption of birds, given a mosquito bit an infected bird and then bit a human (2).
The virus, in severe cases, is diagnosed by testing for antibodies of the West Nile Virus in your cerebrospinal fluid (1). An MRI or CT scan may also be done to investigate brain inflammation (1).
The prevention of this virus is fairly straightforward:
Avoid going outside during the evening time, as mosquitos are usually out and about around that time.
Avoid going near bodies of water
If you do go outside, wear full sleeves and long pants
Use bug/mosquito spray to keep insects away
Some individuals may be at higher risk of contracting the virus as opposed to others, the following factors put individuals at higher risk (1):
Being over the age of 60
Having cancer
Having diabetes
Having high blood pressure
Having kidney disease
Having had an organ transplant
If you do happen to contract the virus, there is no medication to cure the virus itself (1). However, cold-like symptoms can be treated with cold medicine available over the counter (1). Going to the hospital can also help with neurological symptoms (1). Usually, the body's immune system fights off the virus on its own (1). Weakness may persist weeks after recovering and in some cases, neurological issues may persist permanently (1).
References Image: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SERkbycrGpo4cUF4stYXi8.jpg
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
Comments