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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor can confirm the presence of West Nile virus in your body by analyzing a sample of your blood or the fluid surrounding your spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). Signs of the disease include:
- A rising level of antibodies to the West Nile virus. Antibodies are immune system proteins that attack foreign substances, such as viruses.
- A positive ribonucleic acid (RNA) test for the West Nile virus.
If your doctor suspects a serious, West Nile virus-related illness such as meningitis or encephalitis, you may have one or more of the following tests:
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). The most common way to diagnose meningitis is to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. A needle inserted between the lower vertebrae of your spine is used to extract a sample of fluid for laboratory analysis. The fluid sample may show an elevated white cell count — a signal that your immune system is fighting an infection — and antibodies to the West Nile virus.
- Brain imaging. In some, but not all, cases, a CT or MRI scan can reveal brain inflammation and swelling.
