To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Good Long-Term Prognosis After West Nile Virus Infection URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2294E6.htm Doctor's Guide August 18, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- August 18, 2008 -- The long-term prognosis of patients infected with West Nile virus is good, according to a new study appearing in the August 19 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. This is the largest study of the long-term outcomes of West Nile virus infection. "This is the first study to comprehensively look at a large population of infected persons to study the long-term effects of West Nile virus," said study author Mark Loeb, MD, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. "We found that both physical and mental functions, as well as mood and fatigue, seemed to return to normal in about 1 year." Researchers followed 156 patients between 2003 and 2007 to record patterns of physical and mental effects of West Nile virus infection. Researchers anticipated greater severity and a longer course of depression and fatigue in participants with neurological problems. However, they found symptoms and recovery times to be similar to those in participants without neurological consequences of infection. Pre-existing health conditions were an important factor in long-term prognosis. Patients who were healthy at the time of infection returned to normal health more quickly on average than those who had pre-existing conditions. Researchers say the data might help patients infected with West Nile virus and their healthcare providers know the expected rate of recovery of physical and mental functioning, fatigue, and depression. SOURCE: American College of Physicians --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.