Symptoms of West Nile virus

SHERRY LONG
The Ellis County Press

ENNIS - Since the West Nile virus' confirmation in Ellis County state health officials have worked diligently to inform the public of the symptoms associated with the mosquito-carrying virus.

The elderly, young children or people in poor health are more likely to get the virus causing flu-like symptoms.

Texas Department of Health officials said most people who are bitten will feel no effects from the virus, but about 20 percent will get a small fever and headaches.

Mild cases of the virus cause fever, body aches, headaches, sore throats, fatigue, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.

'About one in 100 infections will progress to more serious symptoms including encephalitis,' TDH officials said.

Encephalitis (swelling of the brain) occurs when the brain, spinal cord and surrounding membrane are inflamed.

More severe forms of the virus include a stiff neck, headaches, high fevers, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, coma, paralysis and sometimes death.

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