Only a few people have heard about the West Nile Virus. Even fewer understand what it is and how it affects not only humans but animals as well. The West Nile Virus or WNV is contracted by humans through mosquito bites. The effects of this virus are extremely deleterious to human health just like the other mosquito borne diseases called malaria and dengue fever. Two of its most serious effects on the body are illnesses that target the brain and the other parts of the nervous system. One of these diseases is encephalitis which is an inflammation of the brain. The other is called meningitis which is also a kind of inflammation which affects lining of the brain called meninges. Meningitis also affects the spinal cord. The nervous system is very important and since it controls all bodily processes, a person who has an inflamed brain, meninges, and spinal cord will not be able to live his life normally.
Most people die of illness because they were unable to recognize the early signs of the disease. And when they do identify the signs, they do not give proper attention to it. Before one can gain an adequate understanding of what the signs and symptoms of the West Nile Virus are, it is important to obtain basic knowledge about WNV.
It was in the year 1937 when the West Nile Virus was first isolate in Uganda. The virus was found in an area called the West Nile. This is where the name West Nile Virus came from. Although the virus has been discovered only in 1937, there have already been accounts in history that point that the virus may have existed as early as a thousand years ago.
In the month of August 1999, the West Nile Virus was discovered to have entered the United States specifically in the city of New York. This was an immediate cause of concern back then because before this the West Nile Virus was never seen in countries found on the western hemisphere. During the same year, 62 people have been identified to have been infected with WNV and 7 of these individuals died due to the complications of the viral infection.
The manifestations of WNV infection vary in severity but almost all of these symptoms commonly lead to nervous system disorders. A lot of people who become infected with the West Nile Virus do not show any symptoms and when they do, these are often very mild almost like one is just experiencing a simple bout of flu. In a WNV epidemic, there is still quite a low chance of developing serious hair removal complication from the virus. Less than 1% or 1 in every 150 to 300 individuals stands the chance of getting severe brain illness. As with any other viral infections, the person initially becomes feverish. He may also have chills, severe headache, and body malaise. A person may also oversensitivity to light. Those who have a relatively strong immune system can recover from the ravages of the West Nile Virus. Those who are in the age extremes have bigger chances of developing more serious viral complications.
Friday, June 17th, 2011, 4:30 am | 
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