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Q.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection?
A.
Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have
any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who
become infected will develop West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including
fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on
the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
The
symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis)
include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation,
coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is
estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus
will develop a more severe form of disease.
Q.
What is the incubation period in humans (i.e., time from infection
to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis?
A.
Usually 3 to 14 days.
Q.
How long do symptoms last?
A.
Symptoms of mild disease will generally last a few days. Symptoms
of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological
effects may be permanent.
Source:
CDC Division of Vector-Bourne Infectious Diseases
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