How Providence Residents Can Protect Against West Nile Virus

This is not medical advice.

After several years without any confirmed cases of West Nile virus, one Providence resident was recently diagnosed and hospitalized with the virus. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Providence County resident was the first verified case of the virus in Rhode Island since 2018. There were also three cases confirmed in Connecticut and seven in Massachusetts.

A recently published study suggests that the risk of contracting West Nile virus, which is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, will extend beyond summer. Summer is normally the peak season, but warmer weather now lasts into fall because of climate change. The virus can go undetected or result in minor symptoms, including fever, body aches, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes. But severe cases can require hospitalization and may affect the brain and spinal cord.

Here’s everything Providence residents need to know about West Nile virus to protect themselves from risk of infection.

What Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus was first reported in the United States in New York City in the summer of 1999. It infects the muscles and the brain. Most cases of West Nile virus occur during the warm summer months and early fall, when mosquitoes that carry the virus are most active. Most states reported cases of the virus every year, and the CDC tracks West Nile virus in mosquitoes and people.

How Is West Nile Virus Contracted?

West Nile virus is known as an arbovirus, an infection caused when an infected insect bites a person. The West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquitoes’ saliva into a person’s bloodstream. Once the virus enters the bloodstream, it can make its way to the muscles and the brain.

Birds host the virus, which lives in high concentrations in their blood. When a mosquito bites a bird, the virus passes from the bird to the mosquito. When the infected mosquito bites a person, it passes to the person. Because birds have large migration patterns, the virus has spread across the country.

What Are Symptoms Of West Nile Virus?

About 80 percent of people who get West Nile virus have no symptoms of infection, and it goes away on its own without any treatment. The remaining 20 percent of people who become infected may have mild symptoms known as West Nile fever, which may include the following.

• Fever.
• Body aches.
• Muscle pain.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• A red rash that starts off bumpy but becomes flat and dark. The rash is found on the back, chest, stomach and arms.

Roughly one in 150 people who are infected with the virus actually develop a more serious disease known as neuroinvasive West Nile disease that can affect the brain and spinal cord. This life-threatening form of the illness can develop into encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain; meningitis, an inflammation of the lining around the brain or spinal cord; or poliomyelitis, which causes paralysis.

Symptoms of neuroinvasive West Nile virus include the following.

• Persistent headache.
• Neck stiffness.
• Confusion.
• Seizures.
• Severe weakness and paralysis.
• Coma.
• Death.

A person who believes they may have neuroinvasive West Nile disease is urged to seek emergency medical care immediately. To diagnose this form of the virus, a health care provider will perform a lumbar puncture and obtain spinal fluid for testing. Blood tests for the virus also exist but aren’t as reliable as spinal fluid tests.

How Long Does West Nile Virus Last?

After being bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus, it usually takes between two to six days for a person to develop symptoms. In some cases, it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear.

When a person experiences mild symptoms, it usually takes between three and six days for them to resolve on their own without any treatment.
Symptoms of neuroinvasive West Nile disease can last weeks or months, and in some cases symptoms can be permanent. People infected with the neuroinvasive West Nile disease must receive medical treatment.

Who’s Most At Risk For West Nile Virus?

The most serious symptoms of the virus are commonly found in people who have the following.:

• Are over 50 years old.
• Have diabetes.
• Have rheumatoid arthritis.
• Have received an organ transplant.
• Have heart disease.
• Have immunosuppressive illnesses or are taking immunosuppressant medication.

How Is West Nile Virus Treated?

Most peoplehave no symptoms and don’t require any treatment. Some people may experience minor symptoms, which are usually best treated with rest, fluids, good nutrition and an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce fever.

A person infected with neuroinvasive West Nile disease may require hospitalization or intensive care to support their organs as they recover from the illness.

Will You Get The Virus If Bitten By A Mosquito?

If an infected mosquito bites you, it does not necessarily mean you will get the virus. The chance of becoming infected with West Nile virus is one in 300. There are more than 200 types of mosquitoes, and only certain types can transmit diseases to people.

How Can You Protect Against West Nile Virus?

To lower your risk of getting West Nile virus, use mosquito repellent that contains DEET, particularly during summer and early fall — peak mosquito season. Some DEET users develop skin irritation or eye, ear and throat irritation, as well as upset stomach or nausea. If you cannot tolerate DEET, there are other options. Other things you can do to try and prevent mosquito bitesinclude the following.:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors.
• Add screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
• Use mosquito repellent plants or citronella if you cannot tolerate DEET. These are less effective options.
• Stay away from dead birds and animals and report dead birds to your local health department.

There is no vaccine to prevent West Nile virus, but research is ongoing. Although the virus can be severe in some cases, for most people it is minor. And with some preventative measures, your risk of infection can be minimized.

How GoodRx Can Help

If you have nonemergency symptoms of West Nile virus, and you want to speak with a medical professional, GoodRx can help. (If you have a medical emergency, call 911.) With GoodRx Care, you can connect with a doctor within minutes without needing to visit a doctor’s office.
GoodRx Care is affordable and available nationwide with licensed medical providers who can provide help diagnosing an illness or refilling a prescription.

If you require a prescription, you can use the GoodRx app to find the most affordable prescription options in your area. The GoodRx app lets you compare prices at area pharmacies and get free coupons — no printing required. With GoodRx, you can find the lowest price available. When you pick up your prescription, simply show your coupon to the pharmacist who will enter the coupon code for your discount. The app is easy to use, and most importantly, it’s free. Find out more about how to save money on prescriptions and get the health care you need at GoodRx.

Ready to learn more about GoodRx? Download the GoodRx app or use the drug search tool on GoodRx.com to find the lowest price on your prescriptions.