Jeanné Padilla, CA

Article published Aug 6, 2005
Routine tests for virus not necessary

By Laura Florez
Staff writer

Jeanné Padilla started feeling sick last month —headaches, fevers, diarrhea — the whole gamut.

But the 47-year-old woman didn't want to go to the doctor immediately. When her symptoms progressed, her husband insisted.

He had heard about the rise in human cases of West Nile virus in Tulare County and since his wife's symptoms were similar to those associated with the virus — fevers, headaches, and body aches —he was worried.

Padilla said she started to wonder herself.

"I was thinking this is not normal. I don't know what's wrong with me," she said.

Padilla, who later visited several doctors, became one of a growing number of Tulare County residents who this year have been tested for West Nile virus.

On average this year, 10 people a week are getting their blood tested for West Nile virus at the Tulare County Public Health Laboratory — that's up from two to three last year, said Dr. Danae Hansen, the county's public health officer.

The lab, operated by the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency, is just one place that tests blood samples for West Nile virus after they are collected from private doctors offices, clinics and hospitals throughout the county, Hansen said.

Blood donated by Tulare County residents at the Central California Blood Center is also screened daily for West Nile virus, said Dean Eller, the center's president and chief executive officer.

If samples turn up positive for West Nile virus in blood donations — which has happened six times this year — the specimens are automatically disposed of, and the donors are notified, he said.

"If there's any question that they're not feeling well we don't want them to give and endanger the blood supply. They need to go to their physician," he said.

Increases in testing for the virus could explain why it has been found in more people this year in Tulare County, said Dr. Daniel Boken, infection control director for hospitals in Tulare County.

Already this year, 11 people have tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus in Tulare County, compared with four last year.

"Doctors are more aware. They are testing people with more reasonable symptoms," he said.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.

While most people who become infected with the virus may never show symptoms, others will.

Those who display symptoms of the virus can be tested several different ways, by blood or by spinal tap, depending on their symptoms, Hansen said.

But it isn't always as easy as someone walking into a doctor's office or a clinic and asking to be tested, health officials say.

"[Testing] is done when it's medically necessary," said Dr. Karen Haught, the county's medical director for physical health.

People suffering symptoms of West Nile fever, which according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include fever, headache, tiredness and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash and swollen lymph glands will most likely have their blood tested after seeing their doctor, Hansen said.

Those who display symptoms such as headaches, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis, symptoms of the more severe forms of the virus, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, would most likely be tested at a hospital, Hansen said.

There, they would most likely be given a lumbar puncture, more commonly known as a spinal tap, by their doctor, Haught said.

After tests are conducted, it can take up to 72 hours, sometimes longer, for test results, Boken said.

But most of the time, test results in Tulare County turn out to be negative, health officials say.

Of the 101 tests for West Nile virus conducted this year, 11 people have tested positive, county officials say. Last year, out of 87 tests, four tested positive.

Padilla, who eventually tested negative for West Nile virus, said getting tested wasn't as easy as she thinks it should be in Tulare County.

Although she visited the emergency room at Kaweah Delta Hospital and said she asked to be tested for West Nile virus, she said she was turned away without one.

Still feeling sick two days later, Padilla then went to her doctor and asked for the test.

He agreed and sent her to Kaweah Delta to have her blood drawn.

Her tests came back negative.

"It was a relief, it was one thing down, but I still don't know what was wrong," she said.

Health officials say if people in Tulare County do want to get tested for West Nile virus, they should go to their doctors and discuss their symptoms.

But Boken warns people not to get caught up in testing.

"The key is not testing people, the test is sort of well it's too late you have the infection," he said. "The key is warning people to take measures so they can minimize risk. You can encourage them to consider testing if appropriate, but it doesn't help you much."

# The reporter can be reached at lflorez@visalia.gannett.com.