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| {{West nile virus}}
| | #redirect [[West nile virus infection medical therapy]] |
| {{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{AL}}
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| ==Overview==
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| There is currently no specific [[antiviral]] pharmacologic therapy for patients with WNV infection, but interferon-alpha-2b or ribavirin have been used. Patients with mild disease may be followed-up as outpatients; whereas patients with severe disease require hospitalization and close monitoring. Current management of infected patients is based on supportive care aimed at [[symptom]] relief and prevention of [[complications]].
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| ==Medical therapy==
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| ===Supportive care===
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| *There is no specific [[antiviral]] therapy indicated for patients with WNV infection.
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| *Treatment is aimed at supportive measurements and prevention of complications.
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| *In mild cases, patients may be followed-up as out-patients. On the other hand, severe cases often require hospitalization to receive supportive treatment, such as [[intravenous fluids]], [[analgesics]], and nursing care.
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| *Patients with severe meningeal symptoms often require pain control for [[headaches]], along with antiemetic therapy and rehydration for associated [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]].
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| *Patients with [[encephalitis]] require close monitoring for possible development of elevated [[intracranial pressure]] and [[seizures]]. They should also be closely monitored for possible mechanical ventilation in cases where patients are unable to protect their airways.
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| *Acute neuromuscular [[respiratory failure]] may rapidly develop and ventilatory support may be required.
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| ===Pharmacologic therapy===
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| *Although various drugs have been evaluated or empirically administered to patients with WNV disease, none has shown specific benefit.
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| *Despite common practice, there are no guidelines that recommend the use of [[ribavirin]] or [[interferon alfa-2b]] for the treatment of WNV encephalitis or meningitis.<ref name="TunkelGlaser2008">{{cite journal|last1=Tunkel|first1=Allan R.|last2=Glaser|first2=Carol A.|last3=Bloch|first3=Karen C.|last4=Sejvar|first4=James J.|last5=Marra|first5=Christina M.|last6=Roos|first6=Karen L.|last7=Hartman|first7=Barry J.|last8=Kaplan|first8=Sheldon L.|last9=Scheld|first9=W. Michael|last10=Whitley|first10=Richard J.|title=The Management of Encephalitis: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America|journal=Clinical Infectious Diseases|volume=47|issue=3|year=2008|pages=303–327|issn=1058-4838|doi=10.1086/589747}}</ref>
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|2}}
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