Willie Gay, FL

A West Nile Virus Survivor

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By Ken Amaro
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Centers for Disease Control says when someone is infected with the West Nile Virus, one of three things happen. 1 - There are no symptons. 2 - There is West Nile Fever. 3 - There is severe West Nile Disease such as Meningitis or Encephalitis.

Last year, 70-year old Willie Gay was stricken with the West Nile Virus and recovered to say "do not ignore" the symptons.

July 2005 was the first time Wille Gay was able to return home.

"I left in July and came back in July," says Gay.

For the past year the military veteran was in the battle of his life.

"I was sick and the doctors didn't think I would make it," says Gay.

Last Summer, Gay was sitting on his front porch, as he usualy does, and was bitten by mosquito.

Gay says, "When a mosquito bites you, its not the bite. It is what it leaves behind when it bites you."

A few days later Gay wasn't feeling well and visited a hospital emergency room. However he was discharged with a sinus infection.

But he said his condition got worse.

"I knew I was sick, I didn't know how sick," says Gay.

He made another trip to the hospital.

"I had a fever so bad, I couldn't break it."

And then they told him the diagnosis - he had the West Nile Virus.

"When they told me, I thought I was going to die," says Gay.

Gay had so many complications, at one point they called in his family. Eventually, he was moved to a Veterans Hospital for a lengthy stay.

He recovered.

"I'm blessed, I wasn't ready to die," says Gay.

How do you know if you've contracted the West Nile Virus?

Ruth Voss is an Epidemiologist Nurse.

She says you can have it and not know it. "That is very common from what we understand," says Voss.

If you have symptopns they would be fevers, headaches, stiffness around the neck.

Voss says you have to keep an eye on your condition.

"If you're not feeling well and your body temperature is not improving, call your doctor,"
says Voss.

Two years ago, the C-D-C concerned about misdiagnosis, cautioned doctors about confusing viral meningitis with the West Nile Virus.

The Duval County Health Department says prevention is the key. Here are some tips:

Use repellent containing DEET if you're outdoors.

Avoid being outdoors during dusk or dawn hours. That's when mosquitoes are most active.

Wear clothing that covers your skin.

Get rid of any standing water around your home.

Created: 10/25/2005 5:50:39 PM
Updated: 10/25/2005 6:51:01 PM
Edited by Ken Amaro, Consumer Reporter