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Home › Articles › Toddler Health › West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus

Texas Children's Hospital Encourages Parents to Keep Watch

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Preventing West Nile

In addition to arming youngsters with age-appropriate insect repellant, there are measures parents can take to prevent the West Nile virus from spreading.

"Keep children away from environments where mosquitoes are the most plentiful," Dr. Starke says. "Beware of standing water, even in areas you would not normally suspect – dog dishes, fountains, tires, swimming pools with untreated water and gutters with a build up of leaves – that attract mosquitoes. If you water your yard daily, the water left on the grass or accumulating at the curb can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes."


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West Nile Virus Facts

  • The disease is carried by mosquitoes, not humans or birds.
  • Although West Nile virus infection is more common in adults, children also are at risk.
  • Mild cases of West Nile fever last several days, while severe cases (West Nile encephalitis) may persist for several weeks.
  • There is no cure, but supportive care is important. Fluids, anti-seizure medication and breathing assistance may be used.
  • West Nile encephalitis symptoms – Distinctly different from a normal childhood illness, symptoms can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, an altered mental state, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Some cases may have skin rash on the body trunk and swollen lymph nodes.

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