Definition:
West Nile encephalitis is a viral infection that affects the brain. This disease causes great damages to the central nervous system and can lead to paralysis or even death.
Diagnosis:
The West Nile encephalitis can be diagnosed by means of studying the symptoms given by the patient as well as by CT scan and X-ray to see the damages in the brain and spinal cord.
Treatment:
The disease is treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the swelling.
Symptoms and Signs:
Among the symptoms of the disease are headaches, flu-like symptoms, extreme weakness, skin rashes and inflamed lymph nodes. These conditions last for 1 to 3 weeks.
Causes:
This form of encephalitis is caused by the West Nile virus, a flavivirus common in tropical countries such as some parts of Africa and East Asia. The virus is transmitted by mosquito bites.
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