West Nile Virus

Introduction:

In New York City, 1999, a 67 year old man presents to the Emergency room with a fever, slurred speech, and right arm paralysis. While in the ER, the patient begins having seizures and is ultimately placed on a ventilator for respiratory failure. No known reason for his condition can be established. This was one of the first cases where the West Nile Virus was seen in the United States. West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness that many Americans, including myself, do not know much about. It was also a virus that physicians were not trained to look for. No one had much information on the disease, as it had been previously been looked at as not a risk to the human population.

West Nile Virus is commonly known as an arbovirus, it is spread via mosquito bites, birds, and on rare occasions, blood transfusions. I think it is interesting that it is only spread by female mosquitos, as females are the only ones to feed on blood. An infected female mosquito will bite an uninfected bird, where the virus multiplies, then an uninfected mosquito bites the bird and becomes infected. This is the cycling in nature between the mosquito and many breeds of birds, thereby, letting the virus continue to grow and infect more population.

The virus is not spread through human to human contact. Experts believe it is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in summer months and continues into the fall months. (CDC). West Nile was first discovered in blood samples in the West Nile province of Uganda in 1937. (Wikipedia). This virus has now spread globally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first appearance in the United States was in 1999 with 62 cases including 6 deaths in New York. This illness is under reported due to most cases having minor symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Physiological Basis for Disease:

The exact mechanism of the West Nile Virus-caused illness remains unclear. However, it is suspected that the virus enters into the bloodstream of the susceptible host and begins multiplying rapidly.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms:

As previously stated, most West Nile Virus cases go unreported because most people affected have very minor symptoms. Symptoms of this virus can range from flu-like symptoms, including headaches, fever, and body aches to major neuro-invasive illnesses such as lethal

inflammation of the brain (Encephalitis) and spinal cord (Meningitis). Incubation of this virus, the amount of time from infection to show of symptoms, is generally 2-15 days. Most people that come in contact with this illness never realize they have it because the body fights it so fast. According to the CDC, 80% of people affected can show no symptoms at all. People over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for developing more severe cases, so they should take extra precautions.

Diagnostic Techniques:

Diagnosis of this illness is usually done by a healthcare provider that will evaluate whether or not it would have been possible for you to have contracted this virus. The doctor will look at things like the area you live in, the time of year it is, if the virus has been active in your area, and the clinical signs and symptoms that you present with. After the doctor reviews these facts and concludes it could be possible for you to have contracted the illness, blood will be drawn and a possible lumbar puncture will be perform to test for antibodies (IgM) that would be positive. If your results come back positive, you will need to seek treatment. Although, there are no specific treatment options for this virus.

Treatment Options:

As stated previous, to this day, there