West Nile Virus Test

The West Nile Virus test is useful in differentiating the cause of meningitis in areas where the west nile virus is endemic.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that spreads to humans when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. This test detects WNV or the antibodies to the virus in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This virus is mostly self-limiting, meaning that no treatment is required and the body clears the virus with only minimal symptom production. However, in some rare cases, the virus can go on to cause severe disease affecting the central nervous system. A patient may develop encephalitis or meningitis which does not respond to normal treatment, as well as muscle paralysis. This test is useful in differentiating the cause of meningitis in areas where the virus is endemic.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Headache
• High fever, chills
• Nausea, vomiting
• Skin rash on the back or chest
• Neck stiffness
• Coma
• Extreme muscle weakness or paralysis

Also Known As: WNV