West Nile Virus - Medtick

West Nile Virus

What is it?

A disease spread by mosquitoes from infected birds to humans which can lead to inflammation of the brain leading to brain dysfunction, brain damage and can be fatal.

  • Most people experience mild symptoms but those with a weak immune system are more vulnerable.
  • Symptoms normally appear three to fifteen days after being bitten and last for a few days to a few weeks.

Outbreaks have occured in:

  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Eastern Europe
  • Northern Mediterranean Europe
  • North Americas
  • West Indies

Countries affected are:

North America

  • United States of America (Alaska, Hawaii, Oahu, Maui)

Europe & Russia

  • Austria
  • Bosnia Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • France (Corsica)
  • Greece (Corfu, Crete, Rhodes)
  • Hungary
  • Italy (Sardinia, Sicily)
  • Kosovo
  • Netherlands
  • Republic of North Macedonia
  • Romania
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain (Spain Majorca, Minorca, Balearic Islands, Ibiza, Formentera, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura)
  • Turkey

Africa

  • Tunisia

Middle East

  • Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

  • Virus: Flavivirus
  • Infected mother to baby (rare) via pregnancy or breastfeeding

Treatments

  • Blood transfusion (rare)

Symptoms

Mild symptoms:

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Sore throat for longer than seven days or more?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • New rash that has appeared or existing rash getting worst (Rash on chest, stomach or back)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: West Nile Virus in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).