WEST NILE VIRUS

By: Joseph M. Lee, MD

We now have had our first death in Kentucky related to West Nile Virus and at least a dozen cases of the disease. There have not been any children in Kentucky diagnosed with West Nile Virus but they are not immune to the disease.

However, we are still talking about an extremely low incidence of the disease and even lower incidence of fatalities related to the disease. Parents are concerned about signs and symptoms of the disease and what they can do to protect their children and themselves.

The West Nile Virus is transmitted only by mosquito bites of an infected mosquito. Unfortunately, the virus can be carried from state to state by infected birds which then are a source for mosquitoes in previously unaffected communities. The symptoms of the disease initially are extremely vague and similar to many “flu-like” illnesses. These include: headache, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and stiff neck. The majority of patients have no more symptoms than these and recover uneventfully. In a small percentage of patients, usually the old or patients with lowered immunity, more severe symptoms develop. The severe symptoms include: a change in the level of consciousness, severe lethargy or fatigue, seizures and coma. There is no treatment available although some experimental treatment with interferon has been tried in the Louisville epidemic.

To protect ourselves and our children, a few basic steps can be taken. Avoid playing in areas close to standing water or woods, especially in the evening. If you have areas of standing water, drain them or at least spray them for mosquitoes. Children are safer in long sleeves and pants than shorts or sleeveless shirts. Use insect repellant with DEET. It is safe for children to use 10% DEET and for adults to use 20-30% DEET on exposed areas. The worse time of the year is August and September and frost will put an end to this problem for the year. This does not mean your child can’t play outside but playing at dusk near the pond or woods is asking for trouble. Open spaces in the middle of the day or early in the evening are safer.

Remember that this is still a very rare problem and not likely to cause severe problems in children. But use good judgment in where your children play and always use insect repellent when they play in the evening. If you are concerned about symptoms your child is having, call your pediatrician for advice.