West Nile Virus

OverviewHow it is spreadRisks & symptoms

Risks & symptoms

Less than one percent of mosquitoes carry this virus and fewer than one percent of people infected with the virus will develop severe illness. Symptoms generally appear 3 to 14 days after exposure. All residents of areas where West Nile virus activity has been confirmed are at risk, but people over age 50 seem to be especially vulnerable to the severe forms of disease. In rare cases, it can be fatal.

West Nile virus can cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and/or meningitis (swelling of the brain's lining).

However, most infections are mild and symptoms include:

• fever
• headache
• body aches
• occasionally includes skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes

More severe infections may include:

Persons with these symptoms need to seek medical attention immediately.

Taken from Fight the Bite Colorado