What is being tested?
West Nile virus (WNV) is an infection that is transmitted to humans primarily by mosquitoes. It is not usually transmitted person-to-person, but there have been cases of WNV being passed on to others through blood donations, organ transplants, and rarely from a mother to child through breast milk. About 80% of the people infected with WNV experience no symptoms. In the other 20%, it causes flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, muscular weakness, and/or a skin rash on the back or chest. These symptoms usually resolve without treatment within a few days to a few weeks. Only about 1 in 150 people infected with WNV becomes seriously ill with an infection that affects the central nervous system. These patients frequently experience severe symptoms such as confusion, convulsions, high fever, neck stiffness, headaches, or a coma. They may have encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or may experience muscular paralysis. This serious form of WNV is much more common in the elderly and in the immunocompromised. While most symptoms resolve within several weeks, some nerve damage and paralysis may linger or be permanent.

How is the sample collected for testing?
Cerebrospinal fluid is collected from a spinal tap and/or a blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm.

Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
No test preparation is needed.