West Nile Fever in Kerala: Precautions, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and More | Health

West Nile fever, a viral infection transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, was recently confirmed in Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts of Kerala. The state’s health minister asked people to remain vigilant by taking steps to destroy mosquito breeding grounds. The virus, named after Uganda’s West Nile region, was discovered in 1937 and can cause serious neurological disorders in some patients.
Let’s understand what causes the disease, how to treat it and take precautions:

What causes the fever?
Mosquitoes that normally feed on birds can become infected with West Nile virus and transmit it to humans through a bite. The virus spreads through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. There are also cases where the virus was transmitted through organ transplantation, from mother to fetus during pregnancy, blood donation and more.
Symptoms of West Nile Fever
Within 14 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito, a person may develop fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, rash, nausea and vomiting, which are some of the most common symptoms of fever. . At the same time, it can differ from person to person. Interestingly, a majority of infected people may not even develop any symptoms. Brain inflammation or encephalitis, severe headache and fever or meningitis can also be a symptom of West Nile fever.

How to treat the disease?
There are no specific antiviral treatments for West Nile fever. Managing the symptoms through rest, hydration, pain, fever-relieving medications and staying away from mosquito bites constitute the treatment for West Nile fever. At the same time, affected individuals should avoid self-medication and follow the dosage of medications prescribed by your healthcare provider. Also, if the patient has neurological complications, she may need advanced care and monitoring.

Precautions to be taken
One can reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection by taking the proper precautions. Take steps to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellents and covering your body well with full-sleeved clothing. It is also important to cover standing water bodies on your property to prevent mosquito breeding.