West nile virus medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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==Medical Therapy== | ==Medical Therapy== | ||
====Supportive care <small><small><small><small>Adapted from CDC<ref name="CDC">{{cite web| url=http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/healthCareProviders/healthCareProviders-TreatmentPrevention.html| | ====Supportive care <small><small><small><small>Adapted from CDC<ref name="CDC">{{cite web| url= http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/healthCareProviders/healthCareProviders-TreatmentPrevention.html| title= CDC Treatment and Prevention}}</ref></small></small></small></small>==== | ||
* There is no specific [[antiviral]] therapy indicated in patients with west nile virus infection. | * There is no specific [[antiviral]] therapy indicated in patients with west nile virus infection. | ||
* Treatment consist of supportive measurements and prevention of complications. | * Treatment consist of supportive measurements and prevention of complications. | ||
Revision as of 13:15, 11 September 2014
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Medical Therapy
Supportive care Adapted from CDC[1]
- There is no specific antiviral therapy indicated in patients with west nile virus infection.
- Treatment consist of supportive measurements and prevention of complications.
- In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, analgesics, and nursing care.
- Patients with severe meningeal symptoms often require pain control for headaches and antiemetic therapy and rehydration for associated nausea and vomiting.
- Patients with encephalitis require close monitoring for the development of elevated intracranial pressure and seizures.
- Patients with encephalitis or paralysis should be monitored for inability to protect their airway.
- Acute neuromuscular respiratory failure may develop rapidly and prolonged ventilatory support may be required.
- Although various drugs have been evaluated or empirically used for WNV disease, none have shown specific benefit to date.