Historic Year for West Nile Virus

Every year we tend to hear about West Nile virus, but if you think you’re hearing about it a little more than usual you are probably right. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control is reporting that this year there is the highest number of cases of reported fatalities from the virus since it was first detected in North America in 1999.

The West Nile virus has been reported in 48 states this year and 65 people have died. The virus is tricky. It doesn’t impact everyone the same way. Some people can be exposed to it and have no medical problems at all. In fact, 80 percent of the people who are exposed have no symptoms. About 20 percent of people infected with the virus will develop mild, flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, body aches, swollen glands and sometimes a rash on the chest, stomach and back. Only one in 150 people infected will develop severe symptoms, but these symptoms are extremely dangerous and can lead to permanent neurological effects or even death.   

People who are over the age of 50 are more at-risk of developing severe symptoms than those who are younger. This may seem obvious, but people who work outside or spend lots of time outdoors have a greater risk of being exposed to the disease since they are exposed to more mosquitoes.

Symptoms usually start to develop 3-14 days after a person has been bitten by an infected mosquito. Since West Nile is a virus antibiotics will not fight against it and there currently is no specific treatment for the illness. A person with mild symptoms most-likely will recover on their own at home, but it could take several weeks. In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing care.

Like many viruses the best treatment is to be proactive and protect yourself before you’re infected. Unfortunately, there isn’t a vaccine to help our bodies fight this illness so the best way to prevent it is to avoid mosquitoes.

According to the CDC some of the best ways are to avoid mosquito bites are:

• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.

Each month a primary care physician from the Loyola Center for Heath in Homer Glen will share health tips for the whole family. Dr. Emily Tuerk  is an integral part of the Loyola University Health System’s primary care team. She specializes in adult internal medicine and pediatrics and enjoys seeing patients of all ages from infants to older adults at the Loyola Center for Health at Homer Glen. In addition, she is an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics. When not seeing patients she enjoys spending time with family, biking, running and cooking.