The West Nile Virus and your health

West Nile is a virus that causes encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.

The West Nile Virus is spread by mosquito bites and you cannot get the West Nile Virus by normal contact with another person.

If you see or come near a dead bird and want to discard it, you should use gloves to pick it up with and discard it into either a plastic or paper bag and then put the bag into the garbage or you can call your local health department to see if they want you to bring the bird in to be tested.

Symptoms of the West Nile Virus are headache, aches and fever and it is possible to get a skin rash and have swollen lymph glands.

If the West Nile Virus infection gets severe it can cause high fever, confusion, stiff neck, muscle weakness, convulsions, and paralysis.  These symptoms are caused due to the inflammation of the brain.

If you are suffering any symptoms from the West Nile Virus you should contact your doctor or health care physician as soon as possible.

The West Nile Virus infection can be deadly especially to the elderly, preemies, newborns, infants, or anyone with a weak immune system.

Squirrels, cats, wild birds, chipmunks, skunks, rabbits, bats, and domestic birds have been found infected with the West Nile Virus infection. Dogs aren’t immune to the West Nile Virus infection and so far no case of the West Nile Virus infection has been reported to be found in dogs.

According to studies done on the West Nile Virus infection animals that are infected with the West Nile Virus infection are not contagious to humans or each other.

If you are bitten by a mosquito that is carrying the West Nile Virus infection it can take up to fifteen days after being bit for symptoms to manifest. Usually after being treated for systems of the West Nile Virus infection a person starts to feel better in three days and should be symptom free in six days.

If you have any questions or concerns about the West Nile Virus infection don’t hesitate to call one of the telephone numbers below.

(English 1-888-246-2675)                 (Spanish 1-888-246-2857)             (Hearing Impaired 1-866-874-2646)

Click on the web link below for more information about the West Nile Virus infection from the Alabama Department of Public Health website.   

www.adph.org/westnilevirus

http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/sep/10/miss-reports-new-west-nile-virus-cases-ar-4519562/

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-west-nile-virus-and-your-health