Dr. Anthony FauciThe public face of the US coronavirus pandemic response is speaking out about his “terrible” bout with West Nile virus (WNV) in August.
In an op-ed in The New York Times on Monday, the former top infectious-disease official, now 83, wrote that he believes he got the virus from a mosquito bite outside his home in Washington. Happened.
He limited his weakness and fatigue to staying up late symptoms of covid At first, until he became “unconscious and incoherent due to a temperature of 103 degrees”, which led to six days of hospitalization.
Anthony Fauci’s West Nile virus diagnosis: What to know about the mosquito-borne disease
“After I spent more than 50 years chasing and fighting viruses, one struck back and nearly killed me,” Fauci wrote.
Former NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci was hospitalized with West Nile virus in August. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images, main, E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, top right, NIH-NIAID/Image Point FR/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, bottom right.)
“There is no cure for West Nile virus disease, and I was left to deal with its effects on my body.”
He described the experience as “terrible” and “excruciating”.
“A very scary part of the test was the effect on my cognition,” Fauci said.
“I was disoriented, unable to remember some words, asking my family questions I should have known the answers to.”
“I was afraid I would never recover and return to normal.”
Fauci has since recovered, reporting that cognitive symptoms have subsided and he is now walking several miles each day.
“I was afraid I would never recover and return to normal.”
“I tell my story because West Nile virus This is a disease that can have devastating and lasting consequences for many people,” he wrote.
In the op-ed, Fauci called for more resources to combat the threat of West Nile, which could have “devastating and lasting consequences.”
What to know about West Nile virus?
As of October 8, 976 cases of West Nile virus have been reported in 46 US states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Of these, 684 cases were neuroinvasive (severe).
Since West Nile virus first arrived in the US in 1999, it has become the leading cause of mosquito borne diseases In the country.
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In most cases, West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and Zika virus — is spread when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and then bite people and other animals, according to the CDC website.
“I am telling my story because West Nile virus is a disease that can have devastating and lasting consequences for many people,” Fauci wrote. (CBS)
This virus does not spread by eating or handling an infected person. animal or bird – Nor is it spread by physical contact, coughing or sneezing.
The CDC says on its website that most people who become infected with the virus — about 80% — will not experience any symptoms.
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“It causes other symptoms, including a rash and swollen lymph nodes, that other viruses in its class do not exhibit,” says Dr. Mark Siegel, senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine for Fox News. NYU Langone Medical CenterFox News Digital was first told.
“It affects the nervous system only 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.”
About one in five people will develop a febrile illness, characterized by fever with body aches, headache, joint pain, diarrhea, rash, and/or vomiting.
The virus affects the nervous system only 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.
These symptoms usually resolve on their own, but in some people these symptoms may persist for a long time weakness and fatigue Months after infection.
In rare cases – one in every 150 infected people – the virus can cause serious conditions. affecting the nervous systemSuch as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), the CDC states on its website.
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People who develop severe illness may experience headaches, stiff neck, high fever, and disorientation. lose sightMuscle weakness, cramps, tremors, coma, or paralysis, which occur when viral infection occurs in the central nervous system.
Of those who have this aggressive form of the disease, about 10% will die.
Statistics show that it affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.
Since West Nile virus first entered the United States in 1999, it has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country. (iStock)
While anyone can potentially get serious illness, the groups at highest risk include people over the age of 60, people who have organ transplant And people with diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, kidney disease, immune disorders and certain other medical conditions.
“The impact of the virus can be quite severe in the elderly,” Siegel said.
diagnosis and treatment
The CDC says people who think they may be infected with WNV should be evaluated by a health care provider.
Infection can be diagnosed based on evaluation of symptoms, recent exposure to mosquitoes, and testing of blood or spinal fluid.
The most effective means of prevention is to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and taking steps to control exposure to mosquitoes. (iStock)
Health care providers will usually recommend treating symptoms with over-the-counter pain medications And taking plenty of rest and fluids.
People who experience severe illness may need to be hospitalized for supportive care.
stop virus
There is currently no vaccine for West Nile virus.
“The virus can be prevented through public health measures, including more insect repellent with DEET, long sleeves and less stagnant water in our backyards,” Siegel said.
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The doctor warned that trying to kill adult mosquitoes by spreading too much insecticide could be problematic.
“Animal, people suffering from asthma And those insects are affected that would otherwise kill the mosquitoes.”
The CDC has confirmed that the most effective means of prevention is avoiding mosquito bites.
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The agency’s recommendations include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants, and taking steps to control exposure to mosquitoes — especially during the morning and evening hours.
Eliminating standing water outside can help prevent mosquito breeding.
