Does West Nile virus go away?

Mild signs and symptoms of a West Nile virus infection generally go away on their own. But severe signs and symptoms — such as a severe headache, fever, disorientation or sudden weakness — need immediate attention. Exposure to mosquitoes where West Nile virus exists increases your risk of getting infected.

What happens if you get West Nile virus?

About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. Serious symptoms in a few people.

What happens if you pop a mosquito bite?

Scratching mosquito bites can lead to secondary infection if you break the skin or reopen the bite. Dirt from under your nails is the culprit here, and can lead to staph, strep and other bacterial infections.

What age group is most affected by West Nile virus?

Severe illness can occur in people of any age; however, people over 60 years of age are at greater risk. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.

Are there any cases of West Nile virus in the US?

WNV cases have been reported in all of the continental United States. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not have symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms.

When is the best time to get West Nile virus?

West Nile virus is most commonly spread during the summer, especially between June and September. Around of people who are infected won’t show any symptoms. Around of infected people will show some fever symptoms, such as headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually pass quickly.

What’s the incubation period for the West Nile virus?

You can’t get infected from casual contact with an infected person or animal. Most West Nile virus infections occur during warm weather, when mosquitos are active. The incubation period — the period between when you’re bitten by an infected mosquito and the appearance of signs and symptoms of the illness — ranges from two to 14 days.

How is the West Nile virus related to Japanese encephalitis?

The virus is genetically related to the Japanese encephalitis family of viruses. Humans and horses both exhibit disease symptoms from the virus, and symptoms rarely occur in other animals. Identification of the human disease was first made in 1937 in Uganda and in the later half of the 20th century spread to many other parts of the world.