What kills West Nile virus?

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. Mild illness does not require therapy other than medication to reduce fever and pain. When West Nile infects the brain, intensive supportive therapy is needed.

What is the best treatment for West Nile virus?

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection at this time. Intensive supportive therapy is directed toward the complications of brain infection. Anti-inflammatory medications, intravenous fluids, and intensive medical monitoring may be required in severe cases.

Can West Nile be treated with antibiotics?

Antibiotics are not an effective course of treatment since they only fight bacterial infections, and the West Nile disease is caused by a virus. However, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as acetaminophen, can be used to relieve symptoms such as fever and headaches.

What is a neuroinvasive disease?

The symptoms of severe disease (also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

Is West Nile a lifelong disease?

It is assumed that an infection with the West Nile virus confers lifelong immunity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the immunity may dwindle as the years pass.

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.

How do I know I have West Nile virus?

In most cases, your doctor can diagnose West Nile virus with a simple blood test. This can determine whether you have genetic material or antibodies in your blood associated with West Nile virus. If your symptoms are severe and brain-related, your physician may order a lumbar puncture.

Does West Nile stay with you forever?

Can people have persistent infection with West Nile virus? The findings of this study suggest that, in some people, West Nile virus may persist in the kidneys. There have been a few reports of persistent West Nile virus found in brain, spinal fluid, and blood of people who were immunocompromised.

Does West Nile stay in your body forever?

Signs and symptoms of West Nile fever usually last a few days. But signs and symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis can linger for weeks or months. Certain neurological effects, such as muscle weakness, can be permanent.

How do you cure West Nile virus?

Treatment. There is no specific cure for West Nile virus. In mild cases, you should use the same remedies you would for other viruses, such as the flu: drinking plenty of water and fluids, resting in bed, and taking medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve fever and discomfort.

What is the prognosis of West Nile?

West Nile fever generally has an excellent prognosis. Most WNV infections (60%-75%) are asymptomatic and self-limited.

What are the symptoms of West Nile disease?

Early symptoms of West Nile virus infection include an abrupt onset of fever, chills, muscle aches, headache (may be severe), flu-like symptoms, sensitivity to light with pain behind the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, and weakness. Most patients will recover completely.

What is the prognosis for West Nile virus?

West Nile Virus Infection Prognosis. Most people fully recover. In others, particularly the elderly and some young children, the disease can progress to cause encephalitis, meningitis, permanent neurological defects, and infrequently, death.