West Nile Virus

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the West Nile Virus, a form of encephalitis only found in the United States within the last three years which is spread by mosquitoes. West Nile Virus has infected far more people than has been reported in the media because most people have either very mild symptoms or none at all. It describes the main symptoms such as a fever with some gastro-intestinal discomfort and shows how the elderly are the most susceptible. It looks at problems in actually diagnosing the disease properly due to the vagueness of the symptoms, physicians cannot tell from a physical examination alone whether the person has the disease or not, the only definite way is through a blood test. Since as yet there is no vaccine against the disease for humans, the only way to prevent the disease is to prevent mosquito bites. It provides a number of suggestions for people to minimize their risk for acquiring West Nile Virus.

From the Paper:

"When people are outdoors, they should use insect repellent with DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). This chemical has been proven in research to be the most effective mosquito repellent. In addition, people are advised to cover as much skin as possible, using full-length pants and long-sleeved shirts. The clothes should be sprayed with insect repellent also, or mosquitoes may be able to bit them through their clothing. If the clothes aren't sprayed, then the skin under the clothes should be (CDC, 2002). They also recommend staying indoors when mosquitoes are most likely to be out: dawn, and dusk through early evening."

More papers on West Nile Virus:

• Essay # 32976 : " Prevention and Control Programs for the West Nile Virus"
• Research Paper # 120381 : "West Nile Virus in Horses"
• Essay # 50385 : "The West Nile Virus"

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