How to Recognize Symptoms of West Nile Virus

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Know that all residents of areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of getting West Nile Virus.

   Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include:
   West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis, and West Nile meningoencephalitis. , These symptoms include:
   Headache High fever Neck stiffness Stupor Disorientation Coma Tremors Convulsions Muscle weakness Paralysis , Look for these symptoms:
   Fever Headache Tiredness Body aches Occasionally a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) Swollen lymph glands , However, you cannot know if you'll get sick or not when infected. , Although there is no treatment for WNV infection, the person with severe disease often needs to be hospitalized.
   
   People with West Nile fever recover on their own.
   
   Medication for headache and body aches can bring relief.
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   Step 2: Be aware that infection with WNV can be asymptomatic (no symptoms)

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   Step 3: or can lead to West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease (neuroinvasive disease).

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   Step 4: Recognize the symptoms of these neuroinvasive diseases.

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   Step 5: Understand that it is estimated that about 20% of people who become infected with WNV will develop West Nile fever.

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   Step 6: Know that most people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop any type of illness.

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   Step 7: Be aware that when someone is infected with West Nile virus (WNV) they will typically have one of three outcomes: No symptoms (most likely)

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   Step 8: West Nile fever (about 20% of people) or severe West Nile disease (less than 1% of those who get infected).

Detailed Guide

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