What Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile infection is caused by a mosquito-borne virus. Most people who are infected with the virus don't have any symptoms or only have a mild illness. However, in a small proportion of cases, West Nile virus can cause severe, life-threatening meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). These neurological complications have made the West Nile virus a cause of concern across the globe.

West Nile Virus Symptoms

It is estimated that 60 to 80% of people who get infected with the West Nile virus have no signs or symptoms of any disease. Roughly 20% will develop what is called West Nile fever.

Symptoms of West Nile fever may include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue 
• Skin rash 

These typical viral symptoms usually improve after a few days and are usually considered to be just a “summer cold.” Most people and their doctors never realize they had a West Nile virus infection.

Meningitis/Encephalitis

In a small number of infected people—thought to be well under 1%—a serious neurological infection can occur.

People who develop West Nile meningitis or encephalitis may experience:

• Very high fever
• Stiff neck
• Disorientation or confusion
• Paralysis
• Seizures
• Coma 

West Nile meningitis or encephalitis can be fatal, even with comprehensive medical care. Many who recover have lingering neurological symptoms for a year or longer, and some may be left with permanent neurological deficits.

The neurological complications from West Nile virus are more likely in older people, those with cancer, and people who have received an organ transplant from a donor who was infected with West Nile Virus. There is some evidence that hypertension, alcohol abuse, and diabetes may also predispose to serious illness with West Nile virus.

Causes

West Nile virus is an RNA virus that is found all over the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. While the virus itself is not new, it was far more localized to Africa and the Middle East until a few decades ago. And scientists first associated it with severe neurological illness only in the 1990s.

The primary hosts for the West Nile virus are birds. Mosquitoes pass the virus from bird to bird, allowing the virus to multiply and spread. When a mosquito carrying the virus bites a person, the virus can enter the bloodstream and cause an infection.

The virus can also be spread from infected people who donate blood.

In the northern hemisphere, infections with the West Nile virus are seen from late May or early June through September, when mosquitoes are active. The risk of infection tends to peak in late summer.

Diagnosis

There are two tests that may be used to identify West Nile virus infection:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: This is a blood test that can identify the virus itself. However, this has limited usefulness because of the virus's short lifespan in humans. It's possible to have been infected with West Nile and test negative.
• ELISA testing: This blood test (which is done in two parts) can detect IgM antibodies—proteins your body generates in reaction to the virus. This test can detect evidence of immunity to the virus even if the virus is no longer present in your body.

The PCR and ELISA tests are costly. These tests are usually only performed if a doctor feels it's imperative to formally diagnose West Nile infection, such as in cases when an individual is seriously ill.

Most people with the infection don't experience symptoms or only have mild flu-like symptoms that resolve on their own. While those with mild cases might want to officially know if it's West Nile that is affecting them, a test-confirmed diagnosis won't affect treatment recommendations.

Treatment

There is no specific therapy for West Nile virus, so treatment is primarily focused on reducing symptoms. Those with typical West Nile fever (the vast majority of whom never learn they are infected with the West Nile virus) generally treat themselves with usual comfort measures—rest, fluid, and analgesics—and their illnesses resolve in a few days.

West Nile Virus Doctor Discussion Guide

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People who are hospitalized with a serious illness from West Nile virus are treated to manage the fever and to keep vital signs stable. While antiviral medication and intravenous immunoglobulin are often used to treat West Nile infection in hospitalized patients, real evidence that these treatments help with recovery is lacking.

Mortality with serious neurological West Nile infection, even with optimal medical care, has been reported as 2-7% in the United States.

Prevention

Because there are no good treatments for this infection, prevention is very important.

Vaccines against West Nile virus are being developed. While vaccines for horses have been licensed for use in the United States, no vaccines for human use have yet entered clinical trials.

A Word From Verywell

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that is widespread across the United States and the world. While most people infected with West Nile virus have relatively mild illnesses and recover completely, those who develop neurological infections can become seriously ill and may have a prolonged recovery, as well as a risk of death. Because there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, it's important that you take measures to avoid getting infected by protecting yourself and your loved ones from mosquitos whenever possible.