What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?

Many people infected with West Nile virus do not become ill and may not develop symptoms. About 20% of infected people will develop West Nile fever. When symptoms do occur, they may be mild or severe and show up 3 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. • Mild symptoms inlcude flu-like illness with fever, headache, body aches, nausea and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. • Severe symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness and swelling of the brain (encephalitis) which can lead to coma, convulsions and death. Less than 1% of infected people will develop severe symptoms.

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1. Who gets West Nile virus?
2. What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?
3. Can people with West Nile Virus pass the illness to others?
4. How can West Nile virus be prevented?