West nile virus medical therapy: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:25, 27 March 2012

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Because this illness is not caused by bacteria, antibiotics do not help treat West Nile virus infection. At this time, there are no FDA-approved shots or medicines to stop or treat West Nile Virus infection. Most people with mild symptoms get better without any treatment. Use of over-the-counter pain relievers may assist during this period of infection. People with severe West Nile Virus infections may need to go to the hospital. Severe cases of West Nile Virus may be treated with intravenous fluids and prophylactic care to prevent the onset of other infections, like pneumonia.

There are also some therapies associated with West Nile Virus in case of the development of severe, related diseases.

Therapies

Physical therapy

There are some brain injuries associated with West Nile Virus. These injuries include encephalitis and meningitis. These brain injuries can result in:

Cognitive delays
Gross motor delays
Fine motor delays

These treatments must be individualized for each patient because the symptoms and severity can differ. A physical therapist can be instrumental in helping to re-develop muscles. A therapist can help with the following goals:

Increased muscle tone
Poor endurance
Weakness
Decreased sensation
Exercises helping with
- Muscle reeducation
- Improvement of strength
- Endurance
- Coordination
- Balance

Therapists can also assist with:

Gait training
Mobility training
Transfer training

Speech therapy

There are speech problems that may develop in association with West Nile Virus. These include:

Speech therapy would have a few specific goals in mind. These include:

Improve ability to swallow
Help patients recover speech and language function
Prevent complications such as
- Aspiration pneumonia

Occupational therapy

This therapy focuses on improving day to day life of these West Nile Virus patients. These daily activities include:

Bathing
Dressing
Hygiene maintenance
Feeding

They also address issues that can interfere with a patients ability to function independently.

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 ==Overview==
 Because this [[illness]] is not caused by [[bacteria]], [[antibiotics]] do not help treat West Nile virus [[infection]]. At this time, there are no FDA-approved [[shots]] or [[medicines]] to stop or treat West Nile Virus infection. Most people with mild [[symptoms]] get better without any treatment. Use of over-the-counter [[pain]] relievers may assist during this period of infection. People with severe West Nile Virus infections may need to go to the hospital. Severe cases of West Nile Virus may be treated with [[intravenous fluids]] and [[prophylactic]] care to prevent the onset of other infections, like [[pneumonia]].
+There are also some therapies associated with West Nile Virus in case of the development of severe, related diseases.
+==Therapies==
+===Physical therapy===
+There are some [[brain]] injuries associated with West Nile Virus. These injuries include [[encephalitis]] and [[meningitis]]. These brain injuries can result in:
+*[[Cognitive]] delays
+*[[Gross motor]] delays
+*[[Fine motor]] delays
+These treatments must be individualized for each patient because the symptoms and severity can differ. A physical therapist can be instrumental in helping to re-develop muscles. A therapist can help with the following goals:
+*Increased [[muscle]] tone
+*Poor [[endurance]]
+*[[Weakness]]
+*Decreased [[sensation]]
+*Exercises helping with
+**[[Muscle reeducation]]
+**Improvement of strength
+**[[Endurance]]
+**[[Coordination]]
+**[[Balance]]
+Therapists can also assist with:
+*[[Gait]] training
+*Mobility training
+*Transfer training
+===Speech therapy===
+There are speech problems that may develop in association with West Nile Virus. These include:
+*[[Dysphagia]]
+*[[Aphasia]]
+*[[Dysarthria]]
+Speech therapy would have a few specific goals in mind. These include:
+*Improve ability to [[swallow]]
+*Help patients recover speech and language function
+*Prevent complications such as
+**[[Aspiration pneumonia]]
+===Occupational therapy===
+This therapy focuses on improving day to day life of these West Nile Virus patients. These daily activities include:
+*Bathing
+*Dressing
+*Hygiene maintenance
+*Feeding
+They also address issues that can interfere with a patients ability to function independently.
 ==References==
 {{Reflist|2}}