West Nile encephalitis is a febrile illness endemic particularly in the regions of Asia, Africa and Middle East. Only about 1% of the people infected with West Nile virus suffer from West Nile encephalitis. It is the most severe form of West Nile infection characterized by inflammation of the brain linings. The infection traverses through the blood brain barrier and infects the brain parenchyma resulting in encephalitis. The infection can also infect the leptomeninges giving way to aseptic meningitis or viral meningitis. Usually person suffering from West Nile encephalitis may suffer from the symptoms of both encephalitis and viral meningitis.
West Nile encephalitis occurs normally in summer after the arrival of migratory birds. Over Seventeen species of migratory birds are infected with West Nile and they transmit these to humans through mosquito species like aedes, culus and anopheles. The birds have high titers of the virus and they remain infected for about 1 to 2 weeks. Hence the mosquitoes can easily become the carriers of the virus. Mosquitoes on biting human, dog, horse and other animals make them infected. The transmission of West Nile virus is not possible from other animals to human or from human to human. Only way for transmission is through a mosquito bite. But there is a chance of getting infected during blood transfusions, organ transplants, breast feeding and during pregnancy from mother to child.
A person suffering from West Nile encephalitis starts showing symptoms between 3 to 14 days after the infected mosquito bite. The signs and symptoms include flu like symptoms, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremor, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. In some these symptoms may last for several weeks without any long term effects. Some can have neurological effect which may be everlasting. There is a possibility for severe permanent neurological effects like hearing or speech loss, blindness, permanent brain or nerve damage, behavioral changes, cognitive disabilities, lack of muscle control, seizures and memory loss. So far there is no vaccine for West Nile virus and no specific treatment to kill the virus. Only way is to provide relief for the symptoms.
A person on developing high fever, muscle weakness, confusion or severe head ache must immediately approach the doctor. The patient may be hospitalized for intensive and supportive care involving intravenous fluids, breathing support, medications for controlling seizures, nausea, vomiting and brain swelling, preventing secondary infections like pneumonia and good nursing care. The meningitis forms like meningococcal meningitis can be treated with antibiotics. An effective preventive measure to reduce the risk of getting infected with mosquito bite is highly essential in order to get away from West Nile encephalitis. Mosquito repellents especially the natural ones can do the work for you. Skin Armour deep woods outdoor soap is one such natural repellent soap from Skin Armour which can prevent mosquito bite for long hours.
