More and more states across North America are reporting cases of West Nile Virus, an illness that is transmitted through mosquito bites.
Most people who contract the virus do not experience any symptoms. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, only one out of five people who are infected will feel sick.
However, in a rare event, about one person in 150 would develop a serious illness that could affect the nervous system. Unfortunately, no vaccine for the West Nile fever is currently available, but here are a few ways to prevent an infection.
How To Avoid West Nile Virus
Public health officials have laid out a couple of ways to protect families and homes from mosquitoes that are carrying the virus. The most effective way to prevent an infection, according to the guidelines by the CDC, is to use insect repellent at all times.
The Environmental Protection Agency has published a list of insect repellants that have been approved to be safe and effective for everyone, including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
However, the CDC cautions parents not to use insect repellents on babies younger than 2 months old. Instead, babies should be dressed in clothing that completely covers their arms and legs. If possible, parents should also cover strollers or baby carriers with mosquito netting when they absolutely need to go outside.
Adults are also encouraged to dress in long-sleeve shirts and pants to prevent getting mosquito bites. Use permethrin, an insecticide that repels mosquitos, to treat clothing.
To help decrease the population mosquito around the area, empty items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, pools, birdbaths, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water.
Symptoms Of West Nile
As mentioned, not everyone who is infected by a virus-carrying mosquito will experience symptoms. However, those who do might complain of fever, headache, muscle and joint ache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.
More serious but rare cases might experience a headache, muscle weakness, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, vision loss, numbness, paralysis. About one in 10 people who develop severe illness die.
People who were previously diagnosed with diabetes, cancer, hypertension, kidney disease, or had received organ transplants are extremely vulnerable. The elderly aged 60 and above are also at greater risk of developing a severe illness such as encephalitis or inflammation of the brain and meningitis or inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
People who suspect that they have been infected with West Nile Virus should consult their healthcare provider immediately.
