West Nile virus is a type of virus spread by mosquitoes. Most people who get infected have no symptoms, and they recover fully. But in rare cases, people with West Nile have a severe infection that affects the brain or spinal cord. They may have permanent problems such as seizures, memory loss, and brain damage.
There is no treatment for West Nile. If you have a mild case, you can recover at home. If your infection is severe, you may need to stay in a hospital so you can get treatment to help your body fight the illness.
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.