What to look for if you think you may have West Nile Virus

As much as I love summer break, there’s something special about September hitting in North Texas. Just like as much as I love my five amazing children, I enjoy when they get to spend the meat of the weekdays getting an education as opposed to battling us on how much screen time they can have. Plus football. On the 8^th day, God created football and it was so good we can’t have it more than a few months out of the year. With temps (hopefully) dropping out of triple digits, we can also spend more time outdoors. Ideally it’s at Dragon Stadium watching the Dragons march their way to yet another state championship, or just sipping the beverage of choice with your favorite people in your back yard.

One thing that does come with “cooler” warm weather is the hated mosquito. While they are typically most active at dawn and dusk in our fair burg, they will be present when they sense a nice blood meal around. Most of the time, that just means a high five to our blood sucking friend, accompanied by an itchy welt, but it can also lead to something more.. West Nile Virus. While it isn’t overly common, it can be lethal. Most of us have at least heard of WNV, but we wouldn’t know the symptoms if they hit us in the face. Awareness of the symptoms can lead to quicker and more effective treatment, as well as bring awareness to the areas where infection occurred and could save others from contracting it themselves. While not everyone who contracts West Nile Virus will show symptoms, it is beneficial to recognize the mild and the more severe symptoms.

Mild symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Joint pain and body ache
• Skin rash

More severe symptoms can include:

• High fever
• Stiff neck
• Severe headache
• Disorientation or confusion
• Muscle twitching or tremors
• Convulsions or seizures
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Coma
• Death

It can be easy to dismiss cold or even flu-like symptoms, but go see a doctor if and when you notice any of the symptoms above. The severity of symptoms can vary based on factors such as age, overall health, and strength of immune system, but the best way to avoid West Nile Virus is by taking preventative measures such as wearing repellents that include DEET, wearing loose long sleeve clothing, and eliminating standing water from your home. You can always call Mosquito Hunters with any questions and for advice, or if you want to start scheduling our services. Be sure to ask about our new Thermacell LIV repellant systems!