West Nile virus: Difference between revisions
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==Signs and symptoms== | ==Signs and symptoms== | ||
WNV is a neurotropic disease that attacks the central nervous system. The virus has an incubation time ranging from 3 to 15 days. Though the virus has shown to cause mortality among varied species of birds, it appears that it may only cause mild to moderate flu-like symptoms in humans that become infected. However, this excludes the elderly or those with weak immune systems, such as HIV or cancer, allowing the virus to more easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and they therefore more often present with severe cases of the neurological disease.1<ref> Typical symptoms of classic WN fever include | WNV is a neurotropic disease that attacks the central nervous system. The virus has an incubation time ranging from 3 to 15 days. Though the virus has shown to cause mortality among varied species of birds, it appears that it may only cause mild to moderate flu-like symptoms in humans that become infected. However, this excludes the elderly or those with weak immune systems, such as HIV or cancer, allowing the virus to more easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and they therefore more often present with severe cases of the neurological disease.1<ref> Typical symptoms of classic WN fever include fever, headaches and body aches. <ref name="pmid15353427">{{cite journal |author=Watson JT, Pertel PE, Jones RC, ''et al'' |title=Clinical characteristics and functional outcomes of West Nile Fever |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=141 |issue=5 |pages=360–5 |year=2004 |pmid=15353427 |doi=}}</ref> | ||
Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, and may include swollen lymph glands and rashes around the torso. | Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, and may include swollen lymph glands and rashes around the torso. | ||
Neurological symptoms may also include tremor (80% or more of patients), muscle weakness, neck stiffness, stupor, coma, vision loss, numbness and flacid paralysis.<ref name="pmid12876094">{{cite journal |author=Sejvar JJ, Haddad MB, Tierney BC, ''et al'' |title=Neurologic manifestations and outcome of West Nile virus infection |journal=JAMA |volume=290 |issue=4 |pages=511–5 |year=2003 |pmid=12876094 |doi=10.1001/jama.290.4.511}}</ref> Neurological effects may be permanent. In the more serious cases, [[encephalitis]] and [[meningitis]] may occurr. | Neurological symptoms may also include tremor (80% or more of patients), muscle weakness, neck stiffness, stupor, coma, vision loss, numbness and flacid paralysis.<ref name="pmid12876094">{{cite journal |author=Sejvar JJ, Haddad MB, Tierney BC, ''et al'' |title=Neurologic manifestations and outcome of West Nile virus infection |journal=JAMA |volume=290 |issue=4 |pages=511–5 |year=2003 |pmid=12876094 |doi=10.1001/jama.290.4.511}}</ref> Neurological effects may be permanent. In the more serious cases, [[encephalitis]] and [[meningitis]] may occurr. | ||
Revision as of 22:23, 6 May 2009
Signs and symptoms
WNV is a neurotropic disease that attacks the central nervous system. The virus has an incubation time ranging from 3 to 15 days. Though the virus has shown to cause mortality among varied species of birds, it appears that it may only cause mild to moderate flu-like symptoms in humans that become infected. However, this excludes the elderly or those with weak immune systems, such as HIV or cancer, allowing the virus to more easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and they therefore more often present with severe cases of the neurological disease.1Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, and may include swollen lymph glands and rashes around the torso.
Neurological symptoms may also include tremor (80% or more of patients), muscle weakness, neck stiffness, stupor, coma, vision loss, numbness and flacid paralysis.[1] Neurological effects may be permanent. In the more serious cases, encephalitis and meningitis may occurr.
- ↑ Sejvar JJ, Haddad MB, Tierney BC, et al (2003). "Neurologic manifestations and outcome of West Nile virus infection". JAMA 290 (4): 511–5. DOI:10.1001/jama.290.4.511. PMID 12876094. Research Blogging.