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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staff
Supportive therapy
Most people recover from West Nile virus without treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease mild headaches and muscle aches.
There's no direct cure for encephalitis or meningitis, but you may need supportive therapy in a hospital with intravenous fluids and medicines to prevent other types of infections.
Interferon therapy
Scientists are investigating interferon therapy — a type of immune cell therapy — as a treatment for encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. Some research shows that people who receive interferon may recover better than those who don't receive the drug, but more study is needed.
- West Nile virus: Clinical description. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/clinicians/clindesc.htm. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- West Nile virus: Epidemiologic information for clinicians. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/clinicians/epi.htm. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- West Nile virus: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/resources/WNV_factsheet.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- Lindsey NP, et al. Surveillance for human West Nile virus disease - United States, 1999-2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2010;59:1.
- Questions and answers: Symptoms of West Nile virus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/symptoms.htm. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- Petersen LR. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of West Nile virus infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 26, 2010.
- Petersen LR. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of West Nile virus infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 26, 2010.
- Petersen LR. Treatment and prevention of West Nile virus infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 26, 2010.
- Questions and answers: Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/prevention.htm. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- What you need to know about mosquito repellent. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/mosquitorepellent.htm. Accessed May 19, 2010.
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