Can West Nile cause neurological problems?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe neurological disease in those infected. Those surviving infection often present with long-lasting neurological changes that can severely impede their lives. The most common reported symptoms are depression, memory loss, and motor dysfunction.
Does West Nile virus cause brain damage?
Spread by the bite of a mosquito, West Nile virus can cause fever and sometimes life-threatening brain infections known as West Nile encephalitis. About half the people who survive the encephalitis are left with permanent neurological problems such as disabling fatigue, weakness, difficulty walking and memory loss.
What is the difference between West Nile virus and encephalitis?
West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People can get infected from the bite of a mosquito that is infected with the virus. West Nile virus is transferred mainly between pigeons and crows by ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.
How is meningoencephalitis diagnosed?
The most reliable way to diagnose meningitis is with a lumbar puncture . During a lumbar puncture, a doctor inserts a long, thin needle in between two vertebrae in the lower back. This allows them to withdraw some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is the fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What are the long term effects of West Nile virus?
The most common long-term effects are depression, tremors, fatigue, memory problems, extremity weakness, word-finding difficulty and headaches. Since WNV arrived in North America in 1999, it has become the most common arboviral infection in the continent.
What part of the body does West Nile virus affect?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that can attack the nervous system of animals and humans. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue.
What does West Nile do to your brain?
Most often, the West Nile virus causes mild, flu-like symptoms. But, the virus can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as: Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
Can you recover from West Nile encephalitis?
Recovery from severe illness might take several weeks or months. Some effects to the central nervous system might be permanent. About 1 out of 10 people who develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system die.
Is meningoencephalitis the same as meningitis?
Encephalitis/meningoencephalitis is an inflammation of the brain parenchyma with or without involvement of the meningeal structures. Meningitis is either a severe acute bacterial infection or less fulminant of viral origin [1, 2].
What is the cure for West Nile?
Avoid or eliminate any standing water,which is where mosquitos reproduce
What are the signs of West Nile disease?
fever,
Does West Nile virus ever go away?
West Nile virus usually only causes mild symptoms, if any. Most people recover in a few days. Some symptoms may last a few weeks, such as weakness or fatigue. But they will go away on their own. Most people who develop severe illness from West Nile virus recover. But your recovery could take weeks or months.
What is the treatment for West Nile disease?
Avoid unnecessary outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most common,such as at dawn,dusk and early evening.