West Nile Virus Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Mosquito, adult feeding on the skin Mosquito, adult Show all 5 photos West Nile virus Definition West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitos. The condition ranges from mild to severe. Causes, incidence, and risk factors West Nile virus was first identified in 1937 in Uganda in eastern Africa. It was first discovered in the United States in the summer of 1999 in New York. Since then, the virus has spread throughout the United States. The West Nile virus is a type of virus known as a flavivirus. Researchers believe West Nile virus is spread when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a person. Mosquitos carry the highest amounts of virus in the early fall, which is why the rate of the disease increases in late August to early September. The risk of disease decreases as the weather becomes colder and mosquitos die off. Although many people are bitten by mosquitos that carry West Nile virus, most do not know they've been exposed. Few people develop severe disease or even notice any symptoms at all. Mild, flu-like illness is often called West Nile fever. More severe forms of disease, which can be life threatening, may be called West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis, depending on what part of the body is affected. Risk factors for developing a more severe form of West Nile virus include: Conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, organ transplants, and recent chemotherapy Older age Pregnancy West Nile virus may also be spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. It is possible for an infected mother to spread the virus to her child through breast milk. Continue reading this article

More Articles

Insect bites and stings (30 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Insect bites and stings can cause an immediate skin reaction. The bite from fire ants and the sting from bees, wasps, and hornets are usually painful. Bites caused by mosquitoes, fleas, and mites are more likely to cause itching than pain.Reviewer: John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/19/2008
Email  |  Save

Encephalitis (19 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, usually due to infections. See also: MeningitisReviewer: Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/28/2008
Email  |  Save

Meningitis (2 Videos, 46 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Meningitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation causes changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. See also: Aseptic meningitis; Men...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/28/2008
Email  |  Save

Use Healthline to search the web for more West Nile Virus information.

Health Experts, Healthline's Network of Health Experts

West Nile Virus in Medicine for the Outdoors - 3 years 204 days ago

The County of Santa Clara (California) Public Health Department reports that 5 pools of mosquitoes were found within the county infected with West Nile Vir... Email  |  Save