Gelisim News

Do not say it is just a mosquito bite: This virus does not show symptoms in 80% of patients!

While the West Nile Virus (WNV), which has recently come to the fore again, causes loss of life in Greece, people think "What if I caught this virus?". Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Savaş Vural warned about the virus, which is transmitted to humans and some animal species from mosquito bites. Emphasizing that the virus can be prevented with some basic precautions, Dr. Vural also made recommendations to those who will go to regions where West Nile Virus is common.

“IT MAY TAKE TIME FOR PATIENTS TO RESTORE THEIR HEALTH”

West Nile Virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites and manifests itself with high fever, weakness and headache, has mobilized the whole world. Istanbul Gelisim University Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Savaş Vural explained the ways to prevent the disease, the symptoms of which last between 3 and 10 days. Dr. Vural stated: “There is no effective vaccine against the virus for humans yet. West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a viral infectious disease that is often transmitted by infected mosquito bites, which can lead to fever, sometimes neurological symptoms and death in humans. Headache, weakness, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, digestive system symptoms (nausea-vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea) and skin rashes can be seen in West Nile Fever with sudden onset fever. Acute symptoms may last 3-10 days, however, in some patients the symptoms may be prolonged and it may take time for the patient to restore his/her health.

NO SYMPTOMS IN 80% OF THE PATIENTS!

It is known that there is no treatment method for West Nile Virus yet. Considering serological studies, about 80% of people infected with WNV recover without symptoms. Dr. Vural made the following recommendations for those who work in environments where the risk of disease is very high or who will travel to those regions:

• Wearing insect repellent sprays for 35-40 seconds both inside and outside of the clothes provides protection against mosquitoes. In this way, even if the clothes are washed, the effect of the spray continues for 2 weeks.
• Applying insect and insect repellant containing DEET on the skin can increase the effectiveness of protection against the virus, even in places where the risk of disease is lower.
• Buckets, tires, flower pots, small ponds, etc., where mosquitoes can lay their eggs, should be emptied once a week, cleaned, covered or thrown away.
• Wearing clothes that will cover the arms and legs during the stay in such areas is one of the measures that can be taken against the virus.