By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
In 1969, Pink Floyd released The Nile Song on the album More. You may not have heard the song because it was not released in the United States. Pink Floyd was an English rock band that was a leader in the progressive rock genre.It is probably better known for The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.
The Nile Song has lyrics about being dragged down by the lady on the Nile. A West Nile infection can drag you down!
West Nile disease has been spreading in the United States and has been identified in Ohio since 2001. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has an updated website for mosquito-borne illnesses including West Nile. As of August 23, 2024, ODH has tested 10,614 mosquito samples from 55 Ohio counties. They have identified West Nile infected mosquitoes in some area counties including Hancock, Wyandot, Shelby, and Union.
Recent news reports indicate Dublin, Ohio has identified infected mosquitoes and has a spraying program. The northern house mosquito (also known as the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens) is the responsible party. This mosquito carries the virus and can transmit it to both humans and animals via a bite.
Interestingly, most individuals who get bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus do not show signs or symptoms of the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report this number to be 8 out of 10. For the 2 out of 10 who do show symptoms, the disease can range from mild to severe.
Those with mild disease will often display signs and symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, lack of appetite, and/or a rash. The rash occurs in about 50% of those with symptoms and is usually located on the back, the trunk, or the arms. The rash is a mixture of red bumps and patches of discolored skin.
Severe West Nile disease is rare, but it can include high fevers, headache, neck stiffness, seizures, disorientation, vision loss, and paralysis. Those over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing symptoms when infected.
If someone suspects symptoms consistent with the West Nile virus, they should consult their healthcare provider. Besides treating the symptoms, prescribers can order blood work to see if the virus is the cause of the symptoms.
If mild symptoms develop, over the counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) can be helpful. Talk to your pharmacist for product and dosing advice.
The best treatment for West Nile is preventing a mosquito bite. Recommendations include applying insect repellent to skin and clothes. Other recommendations include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Covering any open skin with clothing, shoes, socks, or hats is advisable. Make sure to tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks. Treating clothes with permethrin is a good preventative measure.
Other preventative tips are to reduce standing water where mosquitoes can breed, fixing holes in screens, and staying indoors.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website provides an interactive site to find the right bug repellent for mosquitoes. The EPA site indicates several ingredients can protect against mosquitoes including citronella, DEET, 2-undecanone, p-Methane-3,8-diol, oil of lemon with eucalyptus, and IR3535. The EPA favors the IR3535 due to its effectiveness and improved safety profile. IR3535 is the abbreviated name for the chemical ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate. This ingredient is found in several Avon products recommended for bug protection from mosquitoes.
Don’t let West Nile drag you down! Stay protected.
Contact ONU HealthWise Pharmacy at 419-772-3784 for more information. Healthwise is offering flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics Monday - Friday from 2:00-6:00 p.m.
