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If
your Child is Bitten by a Mosquito
- First,
remember that very few mosquitoes are infected with WNV, and that
even fewer people actually become ill if they are infected.
- Most
people infected with the virus experience no illness or mild symptoms
such as a slight fever, headache, body aches, a mild rash, or
swollen lymph glands. Any symptoms will develop 3 – 15 days
after infection.
- Children
who are bitten by a mosquito do not need to be tested for WNV.
However, seek medical attention immediately if the child develops
symptoms such as a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe
headaches, stiff neck, loss of consciousness, or if his or her
eyes become sensitive to light. These more severe symptoms could
be signs of encephalitis (swelling of the brain), or meningitis
(swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). These conditions
can be very serious, and can possibly lead to death.
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