Jun 11
2020
Feeling Feverish This Summer? Figure Out What Virus It May Be.
As summer approaches, the temperature rises, along with the number of mosquitoes buzzing around.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Similar to the flu and COVID-19, symptoms of West Nile virus include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Joint pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
Richard Watkins, M.D., a Northeast Ohio Medical University associate professor of internal medicine who specializes in infectious disease, tells Prevention readers that ultimately, the best way to prevent contracting West Nile virus is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.
That’s a steep challenge — especially for those who enjoy the outdoors.
The CDC offers a bit of advice:
- Use insect repellent
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
- Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors
- Prevent mosquito bites when traveling overseas
