WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | West Nile symptoms can last longer than virus

West Nile symptoms can last longer than virus

(National) July 22, 2003 - Most West Nile Virus infections are mild or even without any symptoms, but researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wanted to determine the long-term outcomes for the small proportion of patients who develop neurological symptoms.

They discovered that almost a year later, some West Nile Virus patients may still be suffering.

In August Julie Ternes got West Nile from a mosquito bite. A year after being diagnosed she's still exhausted and still has headaches every day. She also says she has short term and a little long-term memory loss."

A CDC study of the long-term neurological effects found symptoms including tremors, jerking of the muscles and Parkinsonism, characterized by stiffness of limbs and difficulty with balance, and also flaccid paralysis, polio-like syndrome.

For people in whom West Nile-caused encephalitis, of swelling of the brain, the good news is they were almost fully recovered within three months.

The best way to reduce risk of West Nile virus is to stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. When outdoors, wear clothes that cover skin and use bug repellent that contains Deet.

posted 4:00pm by Chris Rees