Take the West Nile Virus Quiz
Prevention is the best way to deal with West Nile virus. Protecting yourself against mosquito bites makes it less likely that you’ll get this disease or any other diseases that mosquitoes can carry.
3. Which group of people is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with West Nile virus?
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Severe illness can happen at any age, but people older than 60 are at greater risk. This is especially true for people with a weakened immune system. Certain jobs put a person at higher risk of getting bitten by an infected mosquito. These include farmers, foresters, landscapers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, laborers, mechanics, and other outdoor workers.
5. Which of these is a serious complication of West Nile virus infection?
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About 1 person in 150 will develop severe illness after getting infected by the West Nile virus. This is called West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis, depending on which parts of the central nervous system are affected. A person with either of these illnesses often must be treated in a hospital. In some cases, these illnesses can be fatal. Symptoms of these severe illnesses include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks or longer.
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