West Nile Virus shows up in county
It?s time to take heed: the first case of West Nile Virus has occurred in PI County This is to serve as a wake up call to residents of Presque Isle County that the feared and often misunderstood West Nile Virus is here…right here in Rogers City.
In mid-September, a young and healthy adult living on the outskirts of Rogers City came down with a case West Nile Virus.
It was not immediately apparent that was the case, and this individual who wishes to remain anonymous began having symptoms such as severe abdominal pains, nausea, headache, and a very stiff neck. The person also said the virus caused severe respiratory difficulties and the inability to eat.
The person knew there was something very different about the flu-like symptoms, which came on quite suddenly. The person continued to go to work and did not seek medical attention until, while at work, the person had to be transported by a co-worker to the doctor?s office because the symptoms had become so severe. The doctor immediately sent this individual to the hospital and the symptoms were of such a nature that the person told the driver to relate to the family and friends their last wishes. The individual thought they were going to die and even told the doctors as much.
NEITHER THE DOCTOR, nor the hospital had an inkling of what the problem was, only that this individual was suffering from an as yet unknown virus. Nobody performed any tests to determine if that virus was West Nile in nature. Only after the person had spent four days in the hospital and was released, and only at the individual?s suggestion, was a test for West Nile Virus performed, and later confirmed.
A blood test confirmed what the individual had begun to suspect from all they had seen on TV and read in the papers about the illness. The results took about one and a half weeks to determine. The hospital had treated the patient with intravenous fluids, and many antibiotics to stem any secondary infections that might occur, and even so, the victim later came down with pneumonia.
Although the individual does not recall any specific time a mosquito bite occurred, it apparently did happen at some time, as that is the only way to get the disease. The advice from this victim of the virus is as follows: ?If you feel you have any kind of flu-like symptoms, don?t be reluctant to seek medical attention or it may be too late.
?IF ILLNESS OCCURS during the West Nile Virus season (when mosquitoes are out and about) seek help right away, don?t wait. And tell the doctor to perform a blood test to look for West Nile Virus indications.? This individual is pretty much back to normal health after a four week hiatus from work, after receiving much help from family and friends, and feels lucky to have survived the ordeal. The only real good news, is that this person is now immune from any further exposures to the virus, but now must worry that any family, friends, or children could become victims. The point is to let the public know they need to take the West Nile Virus seriously, and tha
THE BEST SOURCE of protection is to avoid mosquitoes at all costs, as one never knows which mosquito may be a carrier. Those precautions would include screens on windows and doors, spraying for mosquitoes, applying mosquito repellent every time one goes outdoors, and destroying places where mosquitoes might tend to breed such as stagnant water, old tires, bird baths, and puddles.
Keep your home ?mosquito free? by checking rooms before going to sleep. Grassy areas should be kept mowed and children should not be allowed outdoors in the evenings when mosquitoes tend to be abundant.
