West Nile Virus
Symptoms
About 80% of those infected with West Nile Virus will have no symptoms. About 20% will experience mild to moderate flu-like symptoms such as:
About 80% of those infected with West Nile Virus will have no symptoms. About 20% will experience mild to moderate flu-like symptoms such as:
- fever
- nausea, vomiting
- headaches
- body aches
- skin rashes
- swollen lymph nodes
These symptoms typically last for only a few days and have no long-term health impact.
Less than 1% (about 1 in 150) of those infected will develop more serious disease, in which there is brain involvement. This can lead to life-threatening encephalitis and/or meningitis. Symptoms of encephalitis include:
- high fever
- extreme muscle weakness
- neck stiffness
- stupor, disorientation
- tremors, convulsions
- coma
- paralysis (rarely)
The fatality rate of those with the more serious form of the disease ranges from 3-15% and is highest among the elderly. Individuals with compromised immune systems also have an increased risk of severe disease.
