I am completely asymptomatic do I have West Nile Virus?

Question

I just read Washington State Department of Health fax to Benton-Franklin Health district:

It states:

Approximately 80% infected are asymptomatic

Answer 1

There is so much media hype about WNV that people freak out for no reason.  Here are a few facts:

1.  We are not the best host for WNV.  It simply does not like us, so most of the time it will not even replicate and gets cleared from our body by our immune systems.  The ideal host is a bird, most of the time crows and blue jays.

2.  Only about 20% of those who become infected develop symptomatic West Nile fever.  The symptoms can last a long time, but it will not kill the person.

3.  <1% of people infected develop neurologic disease.  Even then, it's not a death sentence.

4.  You are most at risk if you are >70 years old.  That is because as a person gets older, his immune system no longer works as well as it used to.  

5.  Infection is "rolling" from the east coast to the west coast.  Think of it like a wave that has washed over us and died.  There is not going to be another wave.

6.  Infection levels in 2007 are less than half of the 2003 levels.  That right there, proves that this is not an epidemic.

7.  If one is exposed and never develops any symptoms, he still develops antibodies.  That protects him from reinfection.  So!  If you have antibodies, that's a good thing!

Take care!  

Answer 2

you know what you call a disease without symptoms? health. Doctors may have a lot of accumulated knowledge but that doesn't mean they use their heads all the time. what the document states is that ultimately in many cases( 80%) the virus acts more like a vaccine than a true infection. It would be more correct to say that 80% of the cases of west nile virus viremia are not associated with any significant illness or symptoms.

Answer 3

if you are asymptomatic, why would you be concerned?

100% of the human race is infected with death, obviously about 80% are asymptomatic on a daily basis.

my point being, there is no cure for westnile, only treatment, if you have nothing to treat, you have nothing to worry about.