First and foremost, if you have concerns that you or a member of your family
have been infected by West Nile Virus, the only way to be sure is to consult
a physician. That said, it is important to be mindful of the following information:
All current evidence suggests that of the few in society who are infected
by a mosquito carrying West Nile Virus, approximately 80% will show no
signs of infection and feel no effects, and are not at risk. Approximately
20% will develop mild flu-like symptoms and of those, fewer than 1% will
develop the serious form of the disease.
From the time of being bitten by an infected mosquito to illness, there
is an incubation period, ranging from two to fifteen days, during which
there are no symptoms. This is followed by the onset of flu-like symptoms
in those who become sick. Those who get seriously ill tend to do so in
a very short period of time after the onset of flu-like symptoms. If you
have mild flu-like symptoms that have persisted for more than a week without
a serious deterioration in condition, it is not likely that you will develop
West Nile Encephalitis or Meningitis.
For those who may be concerned about a mosquito bite that occurred more
than 20 days ago, if you are not now ill, you may rest easy. If you were
infected, no matter whether you became sick or not, you will now be immune
to the disease. All present evidence indicates that West Nile immunity
is permanent.
