West nile virus medical therapy

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

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.