Is there a cure for West Nile Virus?

Question

Thanks for your helpful answers & comments.

Thanks for all your helpful answers & comments!

Answer 1

"In most people (80%), infection causes no symptoms. In others, the virus causes mild flu-like symptoms known as West Nile fever. The virus is able to pass the blood-brain barrier, and the most serious effects (in 0.7% of the infected) are encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), both of which can be fatal. Persons over 50 years of age are at higher risk of developing severe disease, the symptoms of which include fever, nausea, and changes in mental status. In rare cases (first reported October 2002), patients may develop temporary blindness which can last from one to four weeks. This will begin as partial blindness but the person's vision will rapidly deteriorate to total blindness. Very rarely meningismus (stiff neck) is reported.

Symptoms develop 3–15 days after infection. No effective treatment is known.[1] The disease can be diagnosed by employing an ELISA test detecting IgM antibodies against the virus. Several related viruses also cause encephalitis and result in similar antibodies, but a final diagnosis can be made by further tests."

"Experimental treatment
Morpholino antisense oligos have shown activity against West Nile virus in experimental systems [8] and are currently (2005) in US clinical trials as a WNV treatment."

Answer 2

As with most Viruses...no. Just treat the symptoms and monitor the patient through the natural cycle of the virus.

Answer 3

Not yet, but there is prevention.
Use a mosquito repellent. Don't go out after dusk without protective clothing, and don't leave any standing water around in your yard.

Answer 4

There is not. There are no Virus cures yet.

Answer 5

no but the chances of getting it are very small. and what's wrong with you the disease to be afraid of at the moment is bird flu.

Answer 6

NO