John Miller, UT- 2nd story

Washington County man warns people about West Nile viral infection
By The Associated Press

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- In July, 21-year-old John Miller was working full time and had enrolled at Dixie State College. By August, he was so sick that doctors ordered tests to see if he had a brain tumor.

It turns out he was infected with the West Nile virus.

Miller has survived the toughest part of the illness, but he and his parents say they want people to know more about the infection. An unidentified southern Utah man died this month from complications of the infection, health officials said.

From the beginning of August, Miller had been dealing with painful headaches, a symptom his mother Darlene thought may have been the result of the dust from the cabinet shop where he was working.

Then the symptoms got worse. Miller had chills, aches, nausea and weakness -- in addition to the headaches. He saw a doctor who ordered a scan for a possible brain tumor.

Miller developed a rash. His mother was worried enough to take him to the Southwest Skin and Cancer Center to see specialists, who suggested returning to his family doctor and getting tested for mononucleosis.

Just before Labor Day, one of the specialists suggested Miller be tested for the West Nile virus. On Sept. 6, the test results showed that he had been exposed to the virus although the acute symptoms were gone.

"It was frustrating not to know what he had," Darlene Miller said. "When they found out it was almost a relief, but scary at the same time because people are dying of it."

Now, the Millers hope to use John's experience to help raise awareness about West Nile virus in Washington County.

"When the man in Vernal died, I thought, people have got to know," said John's father, Doug Miller.

On Sept. 12, the state Department of Health publicly confirmed the state's first West Nile-related fatality. The Health Department said only that the man was from Uintah County and older than 65.

John's now sensitive to light and loud noises, and he has good and bad days.

"Even still, I have headaches right now," he said. "They gave me medication for that, which hasn't worked very well."

Miller was told by doctors that symptoms typically last up to two months, so he's looking forward to returning to work, school and dating.

He acknowledged that he's never been vigilant about wearing mosquito repellent, especially after returning five months ago from a mission in the Philippines where he was bitten every day.

Children and the elderly are more susceptible to West Nile infections, which can be transmitted through mosquito bites. For most people, the risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus is low.

At least 23 people in Utah have gotten sick from the infection this year, health statistics show.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been at least 18 deaths nationally this year.

Information from: The Spectrum, http://www.thespectrum.com