The West Nile Panic

   As we have all heard, there is a new mosquito transmitted virus in the area, it's called the West Nile Virus. Is there reason to be worried about our children? Be concerned but not worried.. It normally causes no signs of illness and when it does it causes symptoms similar to a mild flu-like illness: headache, fever, chills, and malaise. This is called West Nile Fever. In a very small percent of the population (so far only the immune compromised and those over the age of 50 years), the West Nile may progress from the mild illness and cause encephalitis, an infection of the brain tissue. So why all the hoopla about it? The West Nile virus should be taken seriously but please do not worry about your children. Protect your child by playing it safe: use a good insect repellant (like Cactus Juice) and keep them indoors when the mosquito levels outside are high, namely in the early morning and the evening. Should they become ill, it is more likely to be a summer cold but if they have neck stiffness such that they refuse to move their neck or they begin to want to sleep all the time, then take your child to see a doctor. I feel that there is more of a threat to our children from the other viruses that cause encephalitis than from the new West Nile virus.