Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or they have flu-like symptoms. Sometimes though, the virus can cause severe illness, resulting in hospitalization and even death so it is important to know the symptoms of illness related to infection and how to minimize your risk, especially if virus activity is reported in an area near you.

SYMPTOMS

The type of symptoms and their severity can vary widely from case to case. In mild cases, there may be flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches. Some people may also develop a mild rash or swollen lymph glands.

More severe symptoms include the rapid onset of severe headaches, high fever, stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, drowsiness, blurred vision or deterioration in eyesight, confusion, loss of consciousness, lack of coordination, muscle weakness and paralysis.

While persons of any age or health status can be at risk of developing serious health effects associated with West Nile virus infection, including meningitis, encephalitis, and acute flaccid paralysis, the overall risk of serious health effects increases with age:

Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord.
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain itself.
Acute flaccid paralysis is a polio-like syndrome that can result in the loss of function of one or more limbs.

DIAGNOSIS

If a doctor suspects that a patient has West Nile virus, a blood test will be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.