The West Nile Virus is increasingly becoming a scourge on our health, spread by multiplying numbers of mosquitoes encroaching on territory they never before occupied.
First of all, let us address what we are dealing with in the West Nile Virus. This is a communicable disease generally found in tropical regions and borne via specific breeds of mosquitoes. Transmission is generally not possible between individuals, which limits its infection rate. Still, reports of infection in utero and via breast feeding have been reported. Our dogs and cats do not seem to be susceptible.
West Nile symptoms do not emerge until 2-3 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito, however, symptom onset can then be sudden and severe. Symptoms can include headaches and body aches, fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea, a rash, and pain in the joints eventually resulting in inflammation of the brain or spinal cord in 1% or those infected.
Prevention is the best natural defense against infection by West Nile. Staying covered and indoors during peak mosquito hours is strongly recommended. Herbal repellants such as lemongrass, eucalyptus, garlic, or citronella can help prevent infection. Once infected, the body can kick the infection so support it with natural immune system boosters such as garlic, astragalus root, or green tea.
Check out our page on natural mosquito repellants.
No proven allopathic medicines are available to treat infection by the West Nile VIrus, so intervention focuses on killing of the mosquitoes with aerial spraying. If you are in a mosquito spraying area, consider home remedies for detoxing the body following such treatments.
