West Nile Virus

Treatment of West Nile virus

The West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and has since spread rapidly across North-Americcan within 48 continental states, seven Canadian provinces, and across Mexico. In addition, WNV activity has been detected in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador.West Nile virus is an infection transmitted by mosquitoes that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of brain tissue ) and / or meningitis (inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). Originally from parts of the Old World, WNV was first detected in North America in summer 1999 in New York, NY, a dead crow at the Bronx Zoo was one of the warning signs runners at first what would happen.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is an infectious disease that emerged in the United States in 1999. Infected mosquitoes spread the virus that causes it. People who contract West Nile virus usually have no symptoms or mild symptoms. As spring continues, WNV activity will become more widespread, so protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites. West Nile Virus can cause serious, life-altering and even fatal disease.

Symptoms of West Nile virus
You can have tremors, muscle pain and fatigue for months after illness, especially if your brain has been infected. Other possible effects of seizures, memory loss, personality changes, paralysis, and symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. Some of these problems can last long.

Symptoms of severe disease (also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma , tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. An estimated 1,150 people infected with West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of the disease.

Treatment Overview
Supportive treatment for West Nile virus can include receiving fluids through a vein (intravenously or IV), the breathing support (using a fan), and prevention of secondary infection such as pneumonia. For more information, see the topic encephalitis.

In 2007, the World Community Grid launched a project with computer modeling by West Nile virus (and other viruses) thousands of small molecules are selected for their potential anti-viral properties in fighting against the West Nile virus. It is a project by the use of computer simulations potential drugs will be identified directly attack the virus once a person is infected.

This is a project delivery process similar to SETI @ Home, where the general public downloads the World Community Grid agent and the program (with thousands of other users) screens thousands of molecules while their computer would otherwise be idle. If the user needs to use the computer program sleeps. There is no specific treatment. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, ie, hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition, airway management, ventilatory support (ventilator) if needed, prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.