LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va –
Local and national news outlets have reported an increased number of West Nile Virus cases this year. In light of these higher numbers, knowledge about the virus, its symptoms and treatment can ensure local residents continue to enjoy outdoor activities instead of winding up in the emergency room..
However, before panic spreads over some new West Nile Virus endemic, Lt. Col. Brian Ortman, Public Health flight commander, shared some facts about the disease.
"Only two cases of West Nile have been reported in Virginia," said Ortman. "Of those two, neither was on the peninsula or near Langley [Air Force Base]."
The peninsula area does have mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile, but this is typical. The real reason humans don't catch West Nile has to do with the virus itself.
A human's metabolic temperature, which hovers around 99 degrees, prevents the virus from taking hold in the body in most cases.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, only 20 percent of those infected with the virus will show symptoms at all. Those symptoms resemble the symptoms of a cold or the flu, such as fever, muscle aches, fatigue or joint pain.
Roughly 0.7 percent of those infected will show more severe symptoms, such as vision loss, confusion, seizures or paralysis. In an even smaller amount of those infected, the neurological effects can be permanent.
But Ortman said not to worry, because US Air Force Hospital Langley has the ability to treat the symptoms of the virus, and after three to five days, patients' immune systems will kick in and knock out the virus.
"It is very rare to die of West Nile Virus," said Ortman. "Even if left untreated, the average person will only suffer a week of bed rest and mild symptoms."
Ortman said if the more serious symptoms do occur, the infected individual should seek medical attention immediately to prevent further discomfort or damage to the body.
Mosquitoes aren't the only critters that should concern individuals looking to spend a day out at the park or by the lake. Ticks are always a concern, said Ortman, because they carry Lyme disease; a bacterial infection.
Lyme disease comes from the feces of a tick falling into the bite wound. According to the Center for Disease Control, 70 to 80 percent of the infected will contract a "bull's-eye" rash three to 30 days after the bite, but usually after only a week the rash will occur.
The rash might expand up to 12 inches across. The name is derived from the clearing of the rash in some areas, causing an outer ring to form around the center of the rash.
Once a rash appears in any form, Ortman suggests seeking out medical treatment.
Other symptoms include additional rashes, facial paralysis, severe headaches, pain and swelling in the joints, shooting pains, dizziness and heart palpitations. Five percent of people left untreated will develop severe symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet, tingling and short term memory problems. If these symptoms occur with the other symptoms, seek emergency medical aid.
Before cancelling any lakeside fishing adventures due to an overwhelming fear of ticks, the ticks around Langley AFB have not tested positive for Lyme disease. Though that is good news, Ortman pressed caution.
"Other places where you go get these diseases," said Ortman. "Just because Langley has no infected ticks doesn't mean the disease isn't out there."
Ortman mentioned two chemical compounds that are great prevention methods for bugs of all sort, especially ticks and mosquitoes.
The chemical Permethrin is an extremely effective insect repellant, said Ortman. When wearing clothing treated with Permethrin, not only is the wearer guaranteed protection for 50 wash cycles, but bug bites drop to near zero.
"I went hunting without my treated uniform once, and came home with nearly 50 ticks of all sizes," said Ortman. "When I wear my treated uniform, I can't see a single tick."
Permethrin can be found in most large sporting goods stores or hunting shops.
N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, or DEET, spray is the main ingredient in almost every commercial bug spray. It has the same affect on bugs as Permethrin, and can be found in large convenience stores and sporting goods stores.
Aside from treating yourself to a chemical cocktail, dumping out still water around the house and in the yard, such as buckets, planters and bird baths, will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs nearby. Simply washing after a day out in the wilderness knocks off tiny ticks that haven't had time to cement themselves to their host.
By combining knowledge of symptoms from these diseases with prevention methods, no one should be afraid to brave the wilds and experience a wonderful outdoor adventure.