15 weeks Pregnant and concerned about West Nile Virus. When should I get tested for it?

Question

I live in a New York city where West Nile Virus has been found. I'm 15 weeks pregnant, live in a wooded area, and this morning I went outside and came in to see myself getting eaten by mosquitos!!!

I'm a pretty nervous person in general, and I am so scared about West Nile Virus - especially since I live in the wooded area in an infected city!

When is a good time to get blood tested for West Nile Virus if I were bitten today? Any references would be amazing!

Answer 1

u should prob get tsted 2day or asap!

Answer 2

Most people that get West Nile, do not get very sick.  Those that are 50 or older are the ones that usually get the sickest from West Nile.  If it is so prevalent in your city, you should wear bug spray when you are out in areas that have mosquito infestation.  Don't go out in the darker hours unless you have on long sleeves and long pants.  Most people that do get West Nile don't get too sick, and may experience flu like symptoms, headache, fever, rash, throwing up, body aches, swollen lymph glands.  About 1 in 150 people that get West Nile develop serious symptoms like muscle weakness, bad headaches, high fever, loss of eyesight, shaking, coma, confusion, numbness, and stiff neck. There are only a few mosquito's that actually carry West Nile, and so for most people the risk is low.  There is a blood test that was approved by the FDA in July of 2003 that can tell your doctor if you have West Nile.