1. The client/caregiver can explain West Nile Virus (WNV), its symptoms, and its method of transmission.
   1. It is an infectious disease spread by infected mosquitoes.
   2. People infected with WNV usually have mild or no symptoms.
   3. Symptoms that may appear are as follows:
      • Fever
      • Headache
      • Body aches
      • Skin rash
      • Swollen lymph glands
   4. Complications of WNV occur if the infection spreads to the brain and causes inflammation resulting in encephalitis or meningitis.
   5. WNV primarily circulates between infected birds and mosquitoes that bite them. The infected mosquitoes can then bite and infect other animals and humans.
2. The client/caregiver can list ways to prevent WNV.
   1. Prevent mosquito bites by
      1. Using insect repellent
      2. Wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the legs and arms
      3. Cleaning clogged rain gutters to avoid standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs
      4. Emptying water once or twice a week from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, and any other items that can collect water
      5. Staying indoors between dusk and dawn (when mosquitoes are most active)
3. The client/caregiver can list new warnings regarding the spread of WNV.
   1. In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other government agencies confirmed the spread of WNV by infected blood and/or organ transplantation.
   2. Blood blanks will ask potential blood donors whether they have had a fever and headache during the previous week. The donor will not be allowed to give blood donations at that time.

Resources

Links to State and Local Government West Nile Virus
www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2006). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care.
Philadelphia: Mosby Inc.
Cohen, B. J., & Wood, D. L. (2000). Memmler’s the Human Body in Health and Disease (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Nutrition made incredibly easy. (2003). Springhouse: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Portable RN: The all-in-one nursing reference. (2002). Springhouse: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Taylor, C., Lillis, D., & LeMone, P. (2005). Fundamentals of nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Credits

Client Teaching Guides for Home Health Care, 2nd ed.
© 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
www.jbpub.com