Grant Choate, IL

Nile
Joe Leicht
Of the Suburban Journals
Enterprise Journal
11/02/2005

David Choate of Smithton is concerned, but cautiously optimistic about his son Grant's health.

Grant Choate, a 15-year-old freshman at Freeburg High School, loves to four-wheel in his spare time and was hoping to make it onto the basketball squad this year.

But in early October, Grant Choate began complaining of a fever that never seemed to subside. The fever gave way to a rash and eventually, he sought medical treatment.

"They said is was Roseola, which is not that serious and about that time, he started doing better," David Choate said.
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But the rash became blotchy and turned into welts that covered most of his body. Then he became nauseated and bed ridden and his temperature climbed to 105.

"I knew there was something very wrong and it wasn't going to go away by itself," David Choate said.

Grant Choate was checked into Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis where he was diagnosed with West Nile fever, a viral disease carried in animals and birds and transferred to humans by mosquitoes.

Grant Choate had to undergo a spinal tap as part of his diagnosis and treatment.

"We have no idea when or where he got it, but it's almost always from a mosquito bite," Grant Choate said. "Earlier, there was a horse in Smithton that had West Nile and a blue jay and crow."

The Illinois Department of Public Health did not name Grant Choate, but confirmed it is investigating a case of West Nile in St. Clair County, where one West Nile-related death was recorded earlier this year.

The IDPH reports nine West Nile deaths so far in 2005 and a total of 235 cases.

The disease is not contagious among humans and it is unlikely any persons who have not already contracted the virus will do so because fall temperatures have slowed or stopped mosquito activity.

Grant Choate is back in school but carries a water bottle and has been granted permission from school officials to take additional time getting to and from class, his father said.

Doctors have instructed Grant Choate to drink plenty of water, the best advice they can give.

"He's going to be all right," David Choate said. "It just takes time. But there is no cure for West Nile, they can only treat the symptoms and hope the body builds its own defenses."