What is the treatment for west niles virus

While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. Read on to learn more about symptoms and how to prevent bug bites. Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates.

You may have heard about being prescribed…. Discover the causes of diarrhea and appetite loss, including stomach flu, celiac disease, and food poisoning. Most commercial bug repellents can cause health and environmental problems.

Learn about natural repellents that actually work. A headache is pain or discomfort that occurs in or around your head, including your scalp, sinuses, or neck. Nausea is a type of discomfort in your…. Yellow fever is a serious, potentially deadly flu-like disease spread by mosquitoes.

Dengue fever is a disease spread by mosquito bites. Dengue can be mild or severe. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Risk factors. Diagnosing the infection. Share on Pinterest. Facts and statistics. Preventing infection. Read this next. Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatments.

Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Bug Bites and Stings. Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. How Are Diseases Transmitted? Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. These are the most common symptoms of West Nile fever:. The more severe form of the West Nile virus affects mostly older adults.

It occurs when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and can cause:. The symptoms of West Nile virus may look like other conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Certain things can increase the risk for getting West Nile virus. You are more likely to get the virus if you are exposed to mosquito bites during the summer months.

Most people who are infected have a minor illness and recover fully. But, older people and those with weak immune systems are more likely to get a serious illness from the infection. There's no specific treatment for West Nile virus-related diseases. If a person gets the more severe form of the disease, West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, treatment may include intensive supportive therapy, such as:. Usually, the West Nile virus causes mild, flu-like symptoms. However, the virus can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as.

At this time, there's no vaccine available to prevent West Nile virus. Repellents are effective only at short distances from the treated surface, so mosquitoes may still be flying nearby. Always follow the directions on the insect repellent to determine how often you need to reapply repellent.

To boost your protection from insect repellent, remember:. Repellents containing a higher concentration of active ingredient such as DEET provide longer-lasting protection.

Read the directions to find out how long your product will last. Most people infected with the West Nile virus will have only mild symptoms.

However, if any of the following serious symptoms develop, seek medical attention right away:. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. 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 Meningoencephalitis inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membrane What causes West Nile virus?

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus? These are the most common symptoms of West Nile fever: Fever Headache Body aches Skin rash on trunk of body Swollen lymph glands The more severe form of the West Nile virus affects mostly older adults.

It occurs when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and can cause: Headache High fever Neck stiffness Stupor a state of impaired consciousness, extreme lethargy, and reduced reactivity to outside stimuli Disorientation Coma Tremors Convulsions Muscle weakness Paralysis The symptoms of West Nile virus may look like other conditions or health problems.

What are the risk factors for West Nile virus? How is West Nile virus diagnosed? Your doctor will order a blood test to check for antibodies to the West Nile virus. He or she may also do a lumbar puncture to test cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection. How is West Nile virus treated? Regardless, gloves should be worn if handling any dead bird or animal.

You can protect your animals and birds from WNV infection by reducing their exposure to infected mosquitoes. Reduce the mosquito population around your home and where animals are housed. Minimize the time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Apply products that kill or repel mosquitoes and are approved and labeled for animal use.

Your veterinarian can help you decide on the appropriate product to use on your animal depending on species, age, health status, and degree of exposure. Do not use products that contain DEET on animals. Use screens on windows and doors at home and, if possible, where animals are housed. Mosquito populations can be reduced significantly by eliminating the amount of standing water.

Dispose of bottles, cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.

Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by vegetation. Empty standing water from used or discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers and animal feeders that are left out of doors. Drainage holes that are located on the sides will allow enough water to collect for mosquitoes to breed.

Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked and can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. Turn over plastic wading pools, buckets, pails and feeders when not in use. Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths and stock tanks at least twice weekly.

Both provide breeding habitat for domestic mosquitoes. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used.

A swimming pool that is left untended by a family that goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers or polytarps. Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes can develop in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.

The State of Connecticut has developed and implemented a statewide WNV response plan that includes surveillance, control strategies, and dissemination of information. State and federal agencies are working together to identify the presence of WNV. Reducing mosquito-breeding habitats in each community can greatly lower the potential for West Nile virus to become a significant threat to humans and domestic animals.

Where do I call if I need more information on West Nile virus in domestic animals and birds? Four horses have been diagnosed with clinical WNV infection. The horses ranged in age from 2 to 20 years and were stabled in four different towns Canaan, Canterbury, Wallingford, Norwalk.

Onset dates of clinical signs ranged from September 16 to October Three horses recovered and one was euthanised. All four horses had no history of recent travel. Three horses were not vaccinated against WNV and the fourth horse only had one injection. On August 3, , the Connecticut State Veterinarian approved the distribution and sale of the vaccine within the State and only to licensed veterinarians.

Nationally as of December 15, , state officials in 40 states have reported 14, horse cases of WNV infection. Seventeen people have been diagnosed with illness attributed to WNV infection.

None have died from their illness. They had onset of illness from the second week of August to the first week of October.