- West Nile virus cases began earlier this year and continue to be reported in the United States.
- In North Carolina, two people recently died from the virus.
- West Nile symptoms can mimic those of the flu, making it difficult to know what you might be dealing with.
When you’re feeling exhausted, feverish and generally lousy, it’s understandable to think you’re coming down with the flu – after all, cases are increasing earlier than usual This year. But there is another virus that causes similar symptoms and is also circulating at higher than normal levels: West Nile virus.
You’re probably not as familiar with West Nile virus as the flu, because it’s nowhere near as common. But the virus transmitted by mosquitoes East ubiquitous – 45 states reported a case this season – and it causes an unusually high number of illnesses. The United States has recorded 1,328 cases of the virus so far this year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those, 1,004 were neuroinvasive, the most severe form of the infection that attacks the central nervous system.
And doctors say the true number of West Nile cases is likely higher. “The West Nile case is vastly underestimated,” says Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York. Most people with the virus have no symptoms, making it difficult for public health researchers to know exactly how widespread it is, he points out. “Most cases probably go unnoticed,” adds Dr. Russo.
A factor that complicates the situation? When symptoms appear, they often mimic the signs of the flu. So people tend to treat them as such, which means many choose home care without seeking a true diagnosis. But West Nile virus can be deadly – the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services just released announcement that two people in the state died from it.
Here’s what infectious disease doctors want you to know about the disease, including signs to watch for about the mosquito-borne virus and what to do if you think you have it.
Meet the experts: William Schaffner, MD, infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security; Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York.
Why are West Nile cases higher this year?
Cases of West Nile virus appear every year in the United States, but the number has increased recently. One possible reason is that cases appeared earlier than usual this year — typically, the West Nile virus “season” runs from June to October, peaking in late August to early September, according to the ministry. CDC. But according to its July 1 press releasethe United States had already recorded its highest number of cases since 2004. And cases are still being reported today.
Since West Nile is transmitted by mosquitoes, weather plays a big role in the number of cases.
“Heat is the main factor” in West Nile cases, says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “A milder winter and warm, humid conditions favor the mosquito vector. »
It therefore follows that the highest number of cases this year have been recorded in California, Arizona and Texas, although Colorado, North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Utah have also recorded many cases, Dr. Adalja points out.
“Mosquitoes are more common in areas of the country where the weather is a little wetter than usual,” says William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “People in these areas should be on alert.”
West Nile Virus Symptoms
According to the report, up to 80% of people with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms of the infection. CDC. But 20% of infected people will develop flu-like symptoms. These include:
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- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Joint pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Fatigue
Fatigue and weakness caused by West Nile virus can persist for weeks or months, according to the CDC.
How to distinguish West Nile virus from the flu
If this list of West Nile virus symptoms looks familiar, that’s because there’s a lot of overlap with the signs of the flu. It can therefore be difficult to differentiate West Nile virus from the flu.
And even if you think that relating your symptoms to a mosquito bite would be the best way to determine the cause, that’s not necessarily the case.
“Most people never remember the bite, so the overall symptoms are more significant,” says Dr. Adalja.
What may be more helpful is to consider what you don’t do it have: He suggests suspecting West Nile virus if you have a fever, headache and body aches — sometimes accompanied by a rash, nausea or diarrhea — but without the cough, congestion or sore throat that are more common with respiratory viruses like the flu.
There is a test for West Nile virus, Dr. Russo points out. “Turnaround time is quite variable and it can be difficult to convince your doctor to give it to you,” he says. “But the lack of respiratory symptoms will differentiate it from things like the flu and COVID.”
What to do if you think you have West Nile virus
Start with the process of elimination. Dr. Schaffner recommends testing for the flu and COVID-19 first. “Since the flu is early this year, it’s more likely to be flu, although it could be COVID,” he says. If both are ruled out, he says it’s worth asking your provider if there’s a chance you could carry West Nile virus, especially if you know you’ve recently been bitten by a mosquito.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment available for West Nile virus. “There’s not much you can do: the treatment is really supportive,” says Dr. Russo. Doctors will usually recommend that you try to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain, according to Dr. Adalja.
Ultimately, it’s best to do what you can to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. “The best strategy is to avoid mosquitoes with repellent, eliminate standing water around homes, and keep mosquitoes away from your home,” says Dr. Adalja. And you can also minimize your chances of contracting viruses that can also cause similar symptoms — remember that flu and COVID-19 vaccines can reduce your chances of developing a severe case of the disease or getting sick in the first place.
Gn Health
