Presentation
West Nile fever (WNF) is the most common clinical presentation. The elderly and immunocompromised persons are at higher risk of developing West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). [ecdc.europa.eu]
Before 1997 WNV was not considered pathogenic for birds, but at that time in Israel a more virulent strain caused the death of different bird species presenting signs of encephalitis and paralysis. [who.int]
The bacterial substance lipopolysaccharide (LPS), present in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, [46] is an example of an exogenous pyrogen. [en.wikipedia.org]
This test analyzes a sample of fluid surrounding the spinal cord to determine whether the virus is present. Blood tests can also detect high levels of antibodies, proteins produced by the immune system when fighting a virus. [livescience.com]
WNV-specific IgG antibodies appear soon after the IgM antibodies, and remain present for life, so testing for these antibodies is not helpful for diagnosis of new infection. [medicinenet.com]
Entire Body System
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Fatigue
Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. Serious symptoms in a few people. [cdc.gov]
Of the 20% who develop symptoms and signs, most are mild and may last for a week, but they may be left with some level of weakness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating for weeks to months. [medicinenet.com]
But some people may develop chronic fatigue or mild memory problems afterward, Green said. [livescience.com]
Common signs and symptoms include: Fever Headache Body aches Vomiting Diarrhea Fatigue Skin rash Serious infection signs and symptoms In less than 1 percent of infected people, the virus causes a serious neurological infection, including inflammation [mayoclinic.org]
WNF is characterised by a sudden onset of symptoms that may include headache, malaise, fever, myalgia, vomiting, rash, fatigue and eye pain [9]. [ecdc.europa.eu]
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Lymphadenopathy
[…] species (or other biting insect). [124] The mosquito bite allergies are informally classified as 1) the Skeeter syndrome, i.e. severe local skin reactions sometimes associated with low-grade fever; 2) systemic reactions that range from high-grade fever, lymphadenopathy [en.wikipedia.org]
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Camping
A common topical remedy in camping gear is aqueous ammonia. Both topical heat [127] and cool [128] may be useful to treat mosquito bites. [en.wikipedia.org]
Musculoskeletal
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Myalgia
WNF is characterised by a sudden onset of symptoms that may include headache, malaise, fever, myalgia, vomiting, rash, fatigue and eye pain [9]. [ecdc.europa.eu]
Neurologic
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Headache
Of those, most only have mild symptoms similar to those of the flu, such as headache, body aches, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. [medicinenet.com]
About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. [cdc.gov]
Most people infected with West Nile virus either don't develop signs or symptoms or have only minor ones, such as fever and mild headache. [mayoclinic.org]
They may include: Fever Headache Fatigue Body aches Muscle pain Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Sometimes, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the back, chest or stomach may accompany the fever. [livescience.com]
Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands. [who.int]
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Irritability
Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. Insect repellents should not be applied to very young children (under 3 years of age) or babies. [medicinenet.com]
[…] an Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disease, Epstein-Barr virus-negative lymphoid malignancy, [125] or another predisposing condition such as Eosinophilic cellulitis or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. [120] Mechanism [ edit ] Visible, irritating [en.wikipedia.org]
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Insomnia
Patients may also experience difficulty walking, muscle weakness, joint pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and insomnia. Symptoms in children and babies are basically the same as symptoms in adults. [medicinenet.com]
Treatment
Treatment No vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for West Nile virus infection are available. [cdc.gov]
Case management and treatment No specific prophylaxis or treatment exist for WNV infections. The only available treatment is supportive care [9]. [ecdc.europa.eu]
What is the treatment for West Nile virus? Is it possible to prevent West Nile virus infection with a vaccine? There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection at this time. [medicinenet.com]
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, and most treatments given are considered supportive, meaning they ease symptoms, Green said. [livescience.com]
Treatment and vaccine Treatment is supportive for patients with neuro-invasive West Nile virus, often involving hospitalization, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections. No vaccine is available for humans. [who.int]
Prognosis
What is the prognosis of West Nile virus infection? Since 80% of people who get infected never have any symptoms or signs, the overall prognosis (or likelihood of full recovery) is excellent. [medicinenet.com]
"Long-term prognosis for clinical West Nile virus infection". Emerg Infect Dis. 10 (8): 1405–11. doi : 10.3201/eid1008.030879. PMC 3320418. PMID 15496241. Nolan MS, Podoll AS, Hause AM, Akers KM, Finkel KW, Murray KO (2012). Wang, Tian (ed.). [en.wikipedia.org]
Etiology
Arboviral etiologies of acute febrile illnesses in western south America, 2000–2007. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2010; 4 (8, article e787) doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000787. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ] 316. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Epidemiology
Epidemiological criteria At least one of the following epidemiological links: Animal to human transmission (residing, having visited or having been exposed to mosquito bites in an area where WNV is endemic in horses or birds) Human to human transmission [ecdc.europa.eu]
The complex epidemiological scenario of West Nile virus in Italy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
& Gubler D.J. (2006): West Nile virus: epidemiology and clinical features of an emerging epidemic in the United States. Annu. Rev. Med. 57:181–194. Hayes E.B. et al. (2005): Epidemiology and transmission dynamics of West Nile virus disease. [ages.at]
Blood and organ donation restrictions and laboratory testing should be considered at the time of the outbreak in the affected areas after assessing the local/regional epidemiological situation. [who.int]
Pathophysiology
"The central role of angiotensin I-converting enzyme in vertebrate pathophysiology". Curr Top Med Chem. 4 (13): 1433–54. doi : 10.2174/1568026043387818. PMID 15379656. [en.wikipedia.org]
Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "West Nile, a Pregnancy Danger?" Feb. 28, 2004.. United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "West Nile Virus." Aug. 8, 2011.. United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [medicinenet.com]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Intrauterine West Nile virus infection--New York, 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002 Dec 20;51(50):1135-6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [ecdc.europa.eu]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2018-10-30. [en.wikipedia.org]