This month, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Canton, Ohio, and it may become more common as the summer continues. To reduce your risk of being infected with this sometimes serious and potentially fatal disease, protect yourself from mosquito bites.

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. It can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals. Most often, the West Nile virus causes no symptoms or a mild, flu-like illness. But the virus can cause life-threatening conditions, such as inflammation of the:

• Brain (encephalitis)

• Lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)

• Brain and its surrounding membrane (meningoencephalitis)

What are West Nile virus symptoms?

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. They won't know they had the infection.

But about 1 in 5 people who become infected will develop West Nile fever. This is a flu-like illness with symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands and a skin rash on the trunk of your body.

The more severe form of West Nile virus is rare and affects mostly older adults. It occurs when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier. Symptoms include a headache, high fever, impaired consciousness or extreme sluggishness, tremors, disorientation, muscle weakness, convulsions or even a coma or paralysis.

West Nile symptoms usually appear within two to six days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, but it can take up to two weeks to experience symptoms. See your healthcare provider right away if you have been bitten by a mosquito and are experiencing symptoms of West Nile virus.

How can West Nile virus be prevented?

The key to preventing West Nile virus is avoiding mosquito bites, since even one bite can transmit the disease. Here are strategies for avoiding bites:

• Use repellents on your exposed skin, particularly from dawn to dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Choose repellents that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Wear light-colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants to protect against mosquito bites. You can also wear clothing treated with permethrin for extra protection.

• Avoid the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outside.

• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Empty all of the water from items such as flowerpots, plastic containers and tarps/covers on a regular basis. Regularly replace water in pet bowls and birdbaths. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.

• Stop mosquitoes from coming indoors by keeping screens in good repair over your windows, or keep the windows closed and use air conditioning if you have it.

• Check and clean clogged roof gutters at least twice annually so they will drain properly.

• When traveling, pack or plan to purchase the items you need to avoid mosquito bites during your trip.

For more information on avoiding mosquito bites, visit the Ohio Department of Health website.

Looking for a Provider?

If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has more than 80 providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Sources:
Ohio Department of Health
The StayWell Company, LLC