West Nile Virus Encephalitis Symptoms

The West Nile Virus is a potentially fatal mosquito-transmitted virus that affects parts of the USA from early Summer deep into Autumn. The disease was first discovered in Uganda, Africa in a women in 1937 and the first diagnosis in the USA was in 1999. Since then, the virus has received a lot of media coverage, due in part to the large spread of areas in which humans can be infected. The West Nile Virus has 3 different forms. In the first stage, which everyone who is infected goes through, no symptoms are felt and the infected human will not even know they are infected. Between a fifth and a quarter of those infected progress to the febrile form of the virus, known as West Nile Fever. The unlucky few - around 1 in 150 - however suffer the severe disease of West Nile encephalitis. The encephalitis symptoms are unpleasant and can lead to death in a small percentage of instances.

Encephalitis is a general term for a neuroinvasive condition that results in an acute inflammation of the brain. The following are some of the West Nile Virus encephalitis symptoms:

• Headaches
• Neck stiffness
• Paralysis
• Very high fever
• Disorientation
• Reduced concsiousness, perhaps coma
• Tremors and convulsions
• Muscle weakness

If you have recently been bitten by a mosquito and seem to be suffering any of the aforementioned encephalitis symptoms, you should certainly seek the advice and diagnosis of a doctor. Unfortunately since there is no vaccine or cure for West Nile Virus encephalitis there is not a lot that can be done if you have encephalitis symptoms. Since it is a viral infection, antibiotics are of no help since they can only battle bacterial infections. The only thing that can help the afflicted person is to be hospitalised and receive supportive treatment for the encephalitis symptoms. These include injections in their veins, ventilator support and protective action against development of secondary complications such as pneumonia.

So, if you have recently been bitten and are exhibiting encephalitis symptoms you should certainly look for medical help, especially if you are in the higher risk category - over 50 and having a weaker immune system.