West nile virus symptoms michigan

Physicians are also urged to test patients for West Nile virus if they present with sudden, painless paralysis in the absence of stroke. Clair County has 2 previously reported cases. Although on-going investigations demonstrate that the virus may rarely be transmitted to recipients of organ transplants or blood transfusions, it is well documented that West Nile virus is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes and is NOT transmitted from person-to-person, horses to people, or birds to people.

People cannot get it from touching or kissing others who have the virus or from a health care worker who has treated someone with it. There are many ways to reduce the risk of becoming infected, including:. Empty water from mosquito breeding sites, such as flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans and similar sites in which mosquitoes can lay eggs. The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash.

It may be warm but is not usually painful. Patients also experience symptoms of fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, these may be the only symptoms of infection.

Untreated, the infection may spread to other parts of the body within a few days to weeks, producing an array of discrete symptoms. These include loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face, severe headaches and neck stiffness, shooting pains that may interfere with sleep, heart palpitations, dizziness, and pain that moves from joint to joint.

Many of these symptoms will resolve, even without treatment. Large joints are most often effected, particularly the knees. These include shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems with concentration and short term memory. Is there a cure for Lyme Disease?

If you believe you may have Lyme disease, it is important that you consult your health care provider for proper diagnosis. Most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics, especially if treatment is begun early in the course of illness. However, a small percentage of patients with Lyme disease have symptoms that last months to years after treatment with antibiotics.

What can I do to reduce my risk of being infected by Lyme Disease? By following the recommendations for personal protection and breeding site reduction, you can reduce your risk for Lyme Disease. These are areas to avoid. If you do enter a tick area, walk in the center of the trail to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter. Permethrin is another type of repellent. It can be purchased at outdoor equipment stores that carry camping or hunting gear.

Permethrin kills ticks on contact! One application to pants, socks, and shoes typically stays effective through several washings. Permethrin should not be applied directly to skin. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to keep ticks off your skin. Light-colored clothing will help you spot ticks more easily.

Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and tucking shirts into pants help keep ticks on the outside of clothing. To kill ticks that you may have missed, wash your clothes with hot water and dry them using high heat for at least one hour. West Nile Virus. On this page: What is West Nile virus? Transmission: The virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms: Most people infected with the West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness.

Prevention: There is no human vaccine for West Nile infection, but you can reduce the risk of infection in the following ways: Avoid situations where you will be exposed to mosquitoes. Apply insect repellent that contains the active ingredient DEET to exposed skin. Follow the manufacturer's directions for use on the label.

Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of buildings.

Empty water from mosquito breeding sites, such as flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans and similar sites in which mosquitoes can lay eggs. More information: University Health Service: How to Get Health Care : Appointments are required for most medical services, however options are available for urgent concerns.