What You Need to Know About West Nile Virus
brought to you Charlotte Regional and Peace River Regional Medical Centers
PUNTA GORDA, FL (September 2, 2013) –
Know the risk and protect yourself
West Nile virus is an infectious disease most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes, occurring in the warmest months of the year when mosquitoes are most active. Although the disease can be serious, most cases require no medical attention.
The best way to prevent West Nile virus infection is to protect against mosquito bites. To help keep you and your family safe, Charlotte Regional and Peace River Regional Medical Centers would like to provide information about the disease and tips for preventing West Nile virus infection.
Incidence and symptoms
Cases of West Nile virus infections, which first appeared in the U.S. in 1999, have now been found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease nor are there any medications to treat it.
Fortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70-80 percent of people who have the virus experience no symptoms. About 20 percent of people develop a fever with symptoms such as headache, body aches, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting, and swollen lymph glands — also known as West Nile fever. Most people with West Nile fever recover completely, though fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
Less than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus develop a serious neurological infection, such as encephalitis or meningitis. Symptoms of neurological infection can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. Recovery may take several weeks or months, and some of the neurological effects may be permanent.
“Mild symptoms of West Nile fever usually resolve on their own,” said Thomas Noone, M.D., market medical director for Charlotte Regional and Peace River Regional Medical Centers. “However, if you have symptoms such as a severe headache, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion, call your doctor right away.”
How to protect against infection
The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to protect against mosquito bites and eliminate potential breeding sites around your home. The health professionals at Charlotte Regional and Peace River Regional Medical Centers recommend you:
- Wear insect repellent outdoors. The CDC recommends products containing Environmental Protection Agency-registered active ingredients; those containing DEET, picardidin, IR3535®, and some products with lemon eucalyptus oil and para-menthane-diol provide longer-lasting protection. Be sure to follow application instructions and pay special attention to recommendations for use on children and pets.
- Cover up. When weather permits, wear a hat, socks, and long sleeves and pants. Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so consider using an EPA-registered repellent on clothes for added protection. Be sure to read the label to ensure safe application.
- Stay indoors during peak mosquito activity. Whenever possible, consider staying inside during dawn and dusk hours, when mosquitoes are most active. If you go outside, be sure to take extra safety measures.
- Keep mosquitoes outside with window screens. Make sure you have screens installed on windows — and they are in good repair — to keep your home free of mosquitoes.
- Eliminate potential mosquito breeding areas. Empty standing water from planting pots, buckets, rain gutters, and children's wading pools when they're not in use. Change water in birth baths and pet bowls weekly. And if you have old tires or a tire swing in your yard, drill a hole in the side so water can drain.
By taking some simple precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes, you can reduce the risk of West Nile virus. For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.cdc.gov/westnile.
About Charlotte Regional Medical Center
Located in Punta Gorda, Charlotte Regional Medical Center is a full-service hospital dedicated to abiding by the mission of: Caring professionals dedicated to serving our community. Founded in 1947, 208-bed Charlotte Regional is Joint Commission Accredited and an award-winning hospital, with stroke services, orthopedics and respiratory programs earning national distinction. Charlotte Regional Medical Center is now part of Bayfront Health; 6,000 professionals in seven hospitals across five counties, united to bring state-of-the-art care to Florida's Gulf communities. For more information, visit www.CharlotteRegional.com.
About Peace River Regional Medical Center
Founded in 1962 by a group of local physicians, Peace River Regional Medical Center is a 254-bed Joint Commission Accredited full-service hospital located in Port Charlotte. Recognized locally as a leading healthcare provider, Peace River is offers a full-continuum of care to patients in Charlotte County. In 2012, the state-of-the-art Peace River Heart Institute opened on the main hospital campus. Peace River Heart Institute is Charlotte County’s only full-service cardiac center, offering a full spectrum if interventional cardiac services, including open heart surgery. Peace River Regional Medical Center is now part of Bayfront Health; 6,000 professionals in seven hospitals across five counties, united to bring state-of-the-art care to Florida's Gulf communities. For more information, visit www.PeaceRiverRegional.com.
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Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.
