West Nile virus – transmission, symptoms and recovery
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Cases of West Nile virus infection occur during the mosquito season, which begins in summer and continues until late fall. Most people have no symptoms of West Nile virus infection. However, one out of five infected people develop fever, headaches, chills, myalgias and inflammation of the lymph nodes, the doctors from Victor Babes Hospital Timisoara report.
West Nile virus infection symptoms
According to doctor Irinel Cerbu, resident infectious diseases doctor, more than 95% of people infected with West Nile will recover completely, but in some cases, symptoms such as fatigue or general weakness may appear for several weeks or even months.
The forms with serious symptoms appear in the case of infected people who develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
Elderly people, with multiple comorbidities, as well as immunosuppressed people (with low immunity) are prone to severe forms, and the mortality rate in these cases is 1/150 people.
West-Nile IgM antibodies are detectable 3-8 days after the onset of symptoms and persist for 30 to 90 days (in some cases they can be detectable for even longer periods).
How West Nile virus is transmitted
The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans most frequently through the bite of an infected mosquito, but there are also rare exceptions, in which the transmission occurs through blood transfusion or organ transplantation or from mother to child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding, writes Dr. Irinel Cerbu, on the Facebook page of Victor Babes Hospital Timisoara.
According to the cited source, the West Nile virus cannot be transmitted by coughing, sneezing or touching, or as a result of eating meat from infected animals, including birds.
Treatment and recovery
Rest, pain medication, and fluid intake can relieve most symptoms. In severe cases, infected people often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, analgesics and antipyretics. There is no specific vaccine or medication for West Nile virus infection.
Most people infected with West Nile virus will develop lifelong immunity, but those with weakened immune systems due to medical conditions or medications may not have a strong immune response to the initial infection, or their immunity may decline over time, more states Dr. Irinel Cerbu.
Source: Victor Babes Hospital Timisoara/FB
Tags: West Nile virus, West Nile symptoms, West Nile virus transmission, Victor Babes hospital Timisoara
2023-08-28 12:36:07
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