Nursing Care of West Nile Virus

Nursing care of those suffering from West Nile virus is definitely a supportive role in the acute care setting. It is comprised of supportive therapy, education, prevention, and palliative support. With no vaccine or cure available, those infected will be treated by the nursing staff with supportive measures, while those at risk should be educated on their risks and how in still preventative measures.

Since we have no vaccine or cure, we must focus on solving the secondary problems inherent with WNV. The common signs and symptoms include headache, arthralgia and myalgia (joint and muscle aches), fever, and sometimes worsening encephalitis. Treating these symptoms is a great way to reduce stress on the body and encourage expedient healing by the patient. First line defense, of course, is reducing any pain. Uncontrolled pain can throw the entire body into a cascade of worsening trends that does not allow for any expedient healing. So by reducing pain, we can allow for greater mobility and function. This is commonly done with NSAIDS, which will also treat the fever concurrently. If pain is worsening beyond the scope of NSAIDS, a stronger pain therapy medication can be prescribed. They will continue though with the fever reduction concurrently to allow for proper healing by reducing the body temperature.

As for the nursing care that I feel is most important, education and prevention, we must be proactive and diligent in our work. Education about the risks and downsides of contracting West Nile virus, fatal to some, should be the focus of encouraging the public to be aware of the prevention methods. It is an easily preventable disease in the United States. We should encourage following the four D's of prevention.

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By avoiding the outdoors, especially around fresh water pools or in known infected mosquito areas at dusk and dawn, you can easily prevent a bite. By dressing in long sleeves and pants while outdoors, you are offering the mosquito less skin to possibly bite you. By using an insect repellent that contains Feet (N,N dimethyl-m-toluamide) whenever outdoors, especially in mosquito filled areas, you will deter them with this spray. Make sure to always follow the manufacturers directions on insect repellant to prevent any harm. And the last D, that nurses should encourage in education and prevention, is to drain any standing water in your yard or local area. These fresh water puddles, pools, or reservoirs are where mosquitos lay eggs. By reducing the amount of areas that are available to them to lay eggs, you will effectively reduce the amount of mosquitos.

 

These are just several things that a nurse can do to care for or help reduce the prevalence of West Nile virus. As treatments expand and new medications or research emerges, the landscape of the nurse's role in care will also change.

 

 

References:

 

The Mayo Clinic. (2012). Disease and conditions: West Nile virus.

Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/west-nile-virus/basics/symptoms/con-20023076

Virology, Pathology, and Clinical Manifestations of West Nile Virus Disease - Volume 11, Number 8-August 2005 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/11/8/05-0289b_article

 

About West Nile Virus. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2015, from http://access.tarrantcounty.com/en/public-health/disease-control---prevention/west-nile-virus/about-west-nile-virus.html