West Nile Virus

**RaysZ71** · 08-17-2012, 08:46 PM

I've been watching the news on this issue and it's freaking me out. today I was doing some yard work and I got like 4 or 5 bites, now due to all these warnings and stuff, Im really not at peace. What's your guys take on this issue and should I be freaking out?

**3inSlugger** · 08-17-2012, 08:54 PM

Don't freak out. Think how many cases there are and how many mosquitoes bite people in OK every day. The media is blowing that up beyond proportion.

**RaysZ71** · 08-17-2012, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by 3inSlugger

Don't freak out. Think how many cases there are and how many mosquitoes bite people in OK every day. The media is blowing that up beyond proportion.

I know but it still freaks me out more then anything, plus Im a hypochondriac and cause myself panic attacks.

**tran** · 08-17-2012, 09:11 PM

I'm not going to sweat it. If it gets me, then I guess it gets me. I am not going to hide inside because of it...

**3inSlugger** · 08-17-2012, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by RaysZ71

I know but it still freaks me out more then anything, plus Im a hypochondriac and cause myself panic attacks.

Burn citronella, put repellant on, and have a beer.

Don't sweat it, there are more important things to worry about.

**gl55** · 08-17-2012, 09:43 PM

Just go outside and don't worry about the little biters. If your time is up, your time is up.....just sayin.

**LightningCrash** · 08-17-2012, 10:39 PM

mosquitoes are like the worst tailgaters ever

**j-dubb** · 08-17-2012, 11:21 PM

I wasn't ever worried about it because I knew it was mainly dangerous to the young and the old with weaker immune systems. I'm neither so I wasn't worried because I figured if it did happen I am healthy enough and young enough to survive it. However I recently remember someone on here saying that once you get it even if you survive it, it messes with your bones and that you have issues with your bones the rest of your life from it? I haven't done any research on my own, so I don't know if there's any truth to that?

**RaysZ71** · 08-17-2012, 11:25 PM

If I turn zombie, someone please kill me.

**RickN** · 08-17-2012, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by RaysZ71

If I turn zombie, someone please kill me.

It would be our pleasure, but we get to divide up your guns afterwards.

**cjjtulsa** · 08-18-2012, 04:43 AM

Never heard of it messing with your bones; my dad contracted it several years ago, and he's never said anything about it. Made him weak and sick, but he over came it OK - and he was in his early 70s when he caught it.

Talking with a friend from Inola, and neither of us has even seen any mosquitos. They must be a bit more prevalent in the cities where more people are watering I guess.

**Johnjosiah** · 08-18-2012, 05:05 AM

Have there been mosquitos for eons...yes.

Have there been mosquito related illness for eons...yes. Malaria used to be prevalent as far North as the Dakotas.

Did "west nile" just suddenly become a human illness...no. There have been similar viruses in the US forever like St. Louis encephalitis. There is also Eastern Equine Encephalitis that can affect humans but is a different virus.
West Nile has been prevalent in other parts of the world (the Nile part could be a hint) forever. It may have recently come to the US but also may have been present and we just never did the right test to definitively ID it or thought it was something else.

You did fine before you knew about West Nile and it was there lurking. So why worry now that you know it present. We have had outbreaks several times the last 5-10 years. This year the media got ahold of it again. I worry more about the flu. Flu kills 10s of thousands of people world wide each year.

Also, stop watching the news - ignorance is bliss. Mostly just drama these days with little objective news.

**sanjuro893** · 08-18-2012, 09:16 AM

I agree with those that are saying the news is blowing this out of proportion. They cause a panic to get people to watch, yet in their own interviews with the state health dept.s of Tx. and Ok., the doctors are emphasizing that not only the cases are RARE for the population, but the few deaths they've had were all elderly or infirm. Being that your age listed is 36, I assume you're in pretty good health. Just use the OFF spray and all that and I'm sure you'll be fine.

**saddlebum** · 08-18-2012, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by RaysZ71

If I turn zombie, someone please kill me.

hell Ray i'll shoot you now if it will help take your mind off of it

**Buzzdraw** · 08-18-2012, 09:48 AM

West Nile has a more significant effect in those age 50 and older. In those 70 and older, the effect can be marked and more likely to be permanent. A friend of mine who is over 70, but otherwise healthy, recently was diagnosed with West Nile. It has messed with his long and short term memory, as well has his general health to a big extent. The early symptoms in his case were much like those of a stroke.

West Nile is nothing to be messed with, especially if you are in the significant risk ages or otherwise have compromised health. Put on that bug repellent!