Small Bite Can Cause Big Problems
July 18, 2007 – 6:39 am
I try to spend as much time as possible hiking and backpacking during the nice weather, although going out during the winter months has some definite advantages. One of those advantages is absence of insects – particularly mosquitoes. In addition to just generally being a pain, mosquitoes are carriers of several diseases including the West Nile virus. The West Nile virus is a flavirvirus that mainly infects birds, but has also infected people, horses, bats, dogs, cats, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, and domestic rabbits. I was surprised to find out that the American Crow and Robin are two of the most common carriers.
Basically, mosquitoes pass along the virus by biting an infected bird and then biting a human. The highest risk of contracting the virus is highest in late August through early September because mosquitoes carry the highest amounts of the virus during this period. Virginia is one of 23 states where the West Nile virus has been reported in birds and animals although we have not had any reported human infections.
The West Nile virus has not caused serious problems for most of people who have been infected. Only bout 20% of the victims will experience symptoms, and they are mild. The symptoms of West Nile fever, which usually last for three to six days, include headache, fever, muscle aches, back pain, nausea and vomiting, rash, sore throat, lack of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. There are some rare incidents that include some more serious symptoms that may last several week and cause permanent neurological conditions.
West Nile virus can only be diagnosed using a CBC, lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing, head CT scan, and head MRI scan. Since it is a virus and there is no vaccine, the treatment is much the same as for the flu – treating the symptoms.
The best advice for dealing with West Nile is to lessen the chances of contracting it. Try to avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors around between dawn and dusk, if possible. If you have to be outside, wear light-colored clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Remember to use insect repellent, containing contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, on both your skin and your clothing.
For additional information on the West Nile virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/.
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