GC: n
S: NORD – https://rarediseases.org/es/rare-diseases/west-nile-encephalitis/ (last access: 16 August 2024); EncephInt – https://www.encephalitis.info/types-of-encephalitis/infectious-encephalitis/west-nile-encephalitis/ (last access: 16 August 2024).
N: 1. – West (adj): As an adjective from late 14c.; as a noun from late 12c. West used in geopolitical sense from World War I (Britain, France, Italy, as opposed to Germany and Austria-Hungary); as contrast to Communist Russia (later to the Soviet bloc) it is first recorded in 1918. West Coast of the U.S. is from 1850; West End of London is from 1776; West Side of Manhattan is from, 1858. The U.S. West “western states and territories” originally (1790s) meant those just west of the Alleghenies; the sense gradually extended as the country grew. To go west “die” was “common during the Great War” [OED, 2nd ed.], perhaps from Celtic imagery or from the notion of the setting sun. In U.S. use, in a literal sense “emigrate to the western states or territories,” from 1830.
– Nile (geographical name): river in Africa, one of the world’s oldest surviving place names, from a Semitic root nahal “river.” Unnamed in Old Testament, it is always merely “the river” (Hebrew yeor).
– encephalitis (n): “inflammation of the brain,” 1843, from encephalo- “the brain” + -itis “inflammation.” Related: Encephalitic.
2. In West Nile virus: West Nile virus infection
…reaches the brain, resulting in West Nile encephalitis, symptoms of which include headache, fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, and muscle weakness. Death may result. Alternatively, spread of the virus to the CNS can cause West Nile meningitis, a distinguishing symptom of which is stiff neck, or West Nile poliomyelitis, a syndrome…
West Nile virus, virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae, related to viruses that can cause yellow fever and dengue and more closely to viruses that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Predominantly an infection of birds, West Nile virus is highly fatal for many avian species (e.g., crows and other corvids). A threat to human health occurs when infected birds are bitten by mosquitoes, which then transmit the virus to humans.
West Nile virus historically was largely confined to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Russia, India, and Indonesia, where it caused occasional, usually minor, epidemics of denguelike illness or sporadic encephalitis.
In humans, infection with West Nile virus causes a flulike illness known as West Nile fever. Most human infections are inapparent or mild, with illness that usually lasts only a few days. However, in a minority of infected persons, particularly in those over age 50, the virus multiplies in the lymphoid tissue and circulates in the bloodstream (possibly also multiplying in leukocytes, or white blood cells) before penetrating the central nervous system (CNS). In the CNS, depending on which tissues are infected, the virus can give rise to any of various conditions classified as West Nile neuroinvasive disease. In some instances, the virus reaches the brain, resulting in West Nile encephalitis, symptoms of which include headache, fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, and muscle weakness. Death may result. Alternatively, spread of the virus to the CNS can cause West Nile meningitis, a distinguishing symptom of which is stiff neck, or West Nile poliomyelitis, a syndrome characterized primarily by acute flaccid paralysis.
3. Diagnosis and prognosis of West Nile encephalitis
Diagnosis is made based on the symptoms and in most cases can be confirmed by urine, blood or cerebrospinal fluid (fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord) tests that detect the virus or the body’s immune response to the virus. West Nile virus encephalitis is associated with considerable short-term and long-term risks of death and significant difficulties such as fatigue, weakness, depression, difficulty walking, ataxia (difficulties with coordination, balance and speech) and memory loss.
4. How is West Nile virus and West Nile encephalitis treated?
There are no specific therapies. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, i.e., hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition, airway management, a ventilator if needed, prevention of secondary infections, and nursing care.
S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=West+Nile+encephalitis (last access: 16 August 2024); MW – https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nile (last access: 16 August 2024). 2. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/West-Nile-encephalitis, https://www.britannica.com/science/West-Nile-virus-disease#ref760065 (last access: 16 August 2024). 3. EncephInt – https://www.encephalitis.info/types-of-encephalitis/infectious-encephalitis/west-nile-encephalitis/ (last access: 16 August 2024). 4. NHS – https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents/2021-11/wnv-fs.pdf (last access: 16 August 2024).
SYN:
S:
CR: culicine mosquito, mosquito, West Nile fever, West Nile virus.
