I have spent the past two weeks speaking about very little else. I work on a nurse advice line and our call volume is off the record because of this.The whole eastern half of the country is affected and it is spreading quickly.
Please, everyone, relax. It is not that serious. West Nile is basically a virus spread by mosquitos. You may or may not have any symptoms. Most people have very mild flu like symptoms. Headache, muscle aches and fever. Some have respiratory symptoms. For those who are elderly or have prior medical conditions it can be more serious. They are at higher risk of complications. Just like any regular flu.
If your headache gets worse, your fever does not go away, you have a stiff neck (can't touch your chin to your chest without terrible pain) you feel weak, have a bad cough, vomiting, diarrhea or just plain feel terrible, go to a doctor or an emergency room. Have some health professional take a look at you. Don't wait. Most of our local serious cases are people who waited longer than they should have.
Many people are panicing at the first sign of a mosquito bite. Not all mosquitos are carrying the virus. It takes 3-10 days for the first symptoms to appear. All this information is from the CDC and local health departments.
If you are ill or just want to ask questions call the local numbers you probably have access to in your paper or on the news. Call your doctor's office and get information or referral numbers there. Be aware of the dangers and act accordingly.
We will make it through this. Watch out for each other and encourage family and friends to take care of themselves.
Please, everyone, relax. It is not that serious. West Nile is basically a virus spread by mosquitos. You may or may not have any symptoms. Most people have very mild flu like symptoms. Headache, muscle aches and fever. Some have respiratory symptoms. For those who are elderly or have prior medical conditions it can be more serious. They are at higher risk of complications. Just like any regular flu.
If your headache gets worse, your fever does not go away, you have a stiff neck (can't touch your chin to your chest without terrible pain) you feel weak, have a bad cough, vomiting, diarrhea or just plain feel terrible, go to a doctor or an emergency room. Have some health professional take a look at you. Don't wait. Most of our local serious cases are people who waited longer than they should have.
Many people are panicing at the first sign of a mosquito bite. Not all mosquitos are carrying the virus. It takes 3-10 days for the first symptoms to appear. All this information is from the CDC and local health departments.
If you are ill or just want to ask questions call the local numbers you probably have access to in your paper or on the news. Call your doctor's office and get information or referral numbers there. Be aware of the dangers and act accordingly.
We will make it through this. Watch out for each other and encourage family and friends to take care of themselves.
