West Nile virus

Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery

How is West Nile virus diagnosed?

Health care providers diagnose West Nile virus infection using a combination of:

• the patient’s symptoms
• the results of laboratory tests

What is the treatment?

There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus in humans. Fortunately, most people who get sick from a West Nile virus infection recover without complications. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms.

Serious cases are treated with supportive therapies, such as fluids, breathing support, and prevention of other complications. In such cases hospitalization or nursing care may be necessary.

West Nile virus is a relatively new disease in Canada and the USA. For this reason its long-term effects are not fully understood. Some people with serious symptoms and health effects recover completely, while others experience ongoing health problems. These problems may include:

• physical effects, such as long-term muscle weakness and paralysis, fatigue and headache
• mental effects, such as confusion, depression, problems with concentration and memory loss
• functional effects, such as difficulty with preparing meals, going out, shopping