Spirit
of Healing
West
Nile Virus
Q:
What are West Nile virus, West Nile fever, and
West Nile encephalitis?
A. West Nile virus is a flavivirus commonly
found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East.
It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis
virus found in the United States. The virus
can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses
and some other mammals.
West
Nile fever is a case of mild disease in people,
characterized by flu like symptoms. West Nile
fever typically lasts only a few days and does
not appear to cause any long-term health effects.
More
severe disease due to a person being infected
with this virus can be West Nile encephalitis,
West Nile meningitis, or West Nile meningoencephalitis.
Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the
brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the
membrane around the brain and the spinal cord,
and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation
of the brain and the membrane surrounding it.
Q.
Where did West Nile virus come from?
A. West Nile virus has been commonly found
in humans and birds and other vertebrates in
Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and the Middle
East, but until 1999 had not previously been
documented in the Western Hemisphere. It is
not known from where the U.S. virus originated,
but it is most closely related genetically to
strains found in the Middle East.
Q.
Historically, where has West Nile encephalitis
occurred worldwide?
A. See the map describing distribution of
flaviviruses, including West Nile virus: Click Here
Q.
How long has West Nile virus been in the U.S.?
A. It is not known how long it has been
in the U.S., but CDC scientists believe the
virus has probably been in the eastern U.S.
since the early summer of 1999, possibly longer.
Q.
I understand West Nile virus was found in "overwintering"
mosquitoes in the New York City area in early
2000. What does this mean?
A. One of the species of mosquitoes found
to carry West Nile virus is the Culex
species, which survives through the winter,
or "overwinters," in the adult stage.
That the virus survived along with the mosquitoes
was documented by the widespread transmission
during the summer of 2000.
Q.
Is West Nile virus now established in the Western
Hemisphere?
A. The continued expansion of West Nile
virus in the United States indicates that it
is permanently established in the Western Hemisphere.
Q.
Is the disease seasonal in its occurrence?
A. In the temperate zone of the world (i.e.,
between latitudes 23.5° and 66.5° north and
south), West Nile encephalitis cases occur primarily
in the late summer or early fall. In the southern
climates where temperatures are milder, West
Nile virus can be transmitted year round.
Symptoms
Q.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection?
A. Most people who are infected with West
Nile virus will not have any type of illness.
It is estimated that 20% of the people who become
infected will develop West Nile fever: mild
symptoms, including fever, headache, and body
aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the
trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
The
symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis,
meningitis, and meningoencephalitis) include
headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor,
disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions,
muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated
that 1 in 150 persons infected with West Nile
virus will develop a more severe form of disease.
Q.
What is the incubation period in humans (i.e.,
time from infection to onset of disease symptoms)
for West Nile encephalitis?
A. Usually 3 to 14 days.
Q.
How long do symptoms last?
A. Symptoms of mild disease will generally
last a few days. Symptoms of severe disease
may last several weeks, although neurological
effects may be permanent.
Q.
I think I have symptoms of West Nile virus infection.
What should I do?
A. Contact your health care provider if
you have concerns about your health. If you
or your family members develop symptoms such
as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, and
severe headaches, you should see your doctor
immediately.
Common
Sense Approaches to West Nile Virus
The
best way to avoid the virus is to avoid mosquito
bites. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and
dawn. They live in damp areas with standing
water. It is safest to avoid such areas. There
are also mosquito repellants to help keep them
away. Try to use natural repellants and avoid
ones with chemical pesticides as they may harm
you.
It
is not always possible to completely avoid mosquitoes
altogether. You can help protect yourself by
keeping your immune system strong. A strong
immune system will be better able to ward off
the virus before it can work its way deeper
inside. All the usual things like eating right
and getting enough sleep are advisable. There
are also some herbal products to boost your
immune system. Ginseng products do just that.
In fact most of the
Astragals,
Deer Tail, Ginseng Tonic, Royal Jelly, Goldenseal,
Echinacea,
and Bee Pollen are all used to improve the immune
system.
If
you should find yourself with flu-like symptoms
Natures Sunshine VSC capsules or VSC liquid
should be used immediately as they are Chinese
herbs used for fighting viral infections.
If
the symptoms worsen such as severe headache
or high fever, contact your doctor without further
delay. Whether or not it is West Nile Virus,
the symptoms are severe and you should seek
the advice of a doctor. The odds are that, if
bitten by a West Nile Virus carrying mosquito,
you will never even notice any symptoms. If
you do notice symptoms, and they are mild, you
may be able to fight it off on your own or with
the help of herbal medicines. But, if the symptoms
become severe or you are weak to begin with,
don't take any chances; contact your physician
right away!
