West Nile Virus is common in Colorado during the summer to fall months.  Mosquitos are the most common reason for people contracting the virus when they are bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile Virus.

There is no treatment or vaccine for West Nile Virus.  In most cases, people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. 

The best way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent being bitten by a mosquite.  View the CDC website on mosquito protection.  https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html

If you think your child might have West Nile, call us.  We can diagnose West Nile by signs, symptoms, history and laboraty blood tests.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile, however, rest, fluids and over the counter medicatons can help to ease the symptoms.  In some more severe cases, hospitalization for supportive treatment may be needed.

If you have had West NIle virus, your immune system should have built a good response to protect you from contracting the virus again.  However, some conditions and medications may weaken the immune system and in that case immunity from West Nile virus may not provide lifelong immunity.