Then the virus circulates in the mosquitos system for a few days, ending up in the salivary glands. When that mosquito bites a person, they transfer the virus to the person.
Symptoms from an infection with West Nile Virus range from asymptomatic to severe. Most people do not develop any symptoms at all.About twenty percent develop a West Nile fever, which includes fever , headache, tiredness, aches and sometimes a rash. Only about one in 150 of those infected will develop severe symptoms, as those associated with West Nile Encephalitis. These include neck stiffness, muscle weakness, paralysis., coma, seizures, and stupor. Some of the neurological effects of this disease can be permanent. The more severe type of this disease is called "neuroinvasive",because it affects a persons nervous system.Anything ranging from meningitis, poliomyelitis or encephalitis.
Once bitten by an infected mosquito, symptoms can develop in as few as 2 days,or take as long as 15 days to develop.Symptoms generally only last a few days, but cases have been reported of symptoms lasting several weeks.
Ways to prevent contracting West Nile Virus is to wear mosquito repellant whenever outdoors. Stay indoors at dawn,dusk and other times mosquitos are likely to be outside. Remove any pools of standing water,as that is where mosquitos like to breed.
Prevention is important as there is no vaccine as yet to prevent one from contracting West Nile Virus. Scientists are working on developing a vaccine for this sometimes fatal disease.More details of prevention techniques can be found at CDC's guidelines for Surveillance,Prevention and Control.
