West Nile Information for Seniors

Protect yourself and your loved ones. Older adults face a higher risk of serious illness from West Nile virus. Simple steps can greatly reduce your risk.

What Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus. Most people (about 8 out of 10) who get infected never develop any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people develop mild flu-like symptoms. Fewer than 1 in 100 develop severe illness that affects the brain or spinal cord.

There is currently no vaccine and no specific medicine to treat West Nile virus in people. Prevention focuses on avoiding mosquito bites.

Why Seniors Are at Higher Risk

Age is one of the strongest risk factors for severe West Nile disease:

People age 65 and older are about three times more likely to develop neurologic illness than younger people.
Adults 70 and older have a significantly higher chance of hospitalization and death if they develop the severe form of the disease.
People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer, or a weakened immune system (including those taking certain medications) are also at elevated risk.

Because of these risks, seniors should take mosquito prevention seriously, especially during peak mosquito season (typically summer through early fall in most of the United States).

Symptoms to Watch For

Mild Illness (West Nile Fever)

Symptoms usually appear 2–14 days after a mosquito bite and may include:

Fever
Headache
Body or joint aches
Fatigue or weakness
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Skin rash

Most people recover fully, though fatigue and weakness can last weeks or longer.

Severe Illness (Neuroinvasive Disease)

Seek medical care right away if you or a loved one develops any of these symptoms:

High fever
Severe headache
Neck stiffness
Confusion, disorientation, or stupor
Tremors, muscle weakness, or paralysis
Vision loss or numbness
Seizures or coma

Severe illness can require hospitalization. Recovery may take weeks or months, and some effects can be long-lasting.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus. Care is supportive:

Rest and fluids
Over-the-counter pain and fever reducers (such as acetaminophen) as recommended by your doctor
Hospital care for severe cases (monitoring, IV fluids, breathing support if needed)

Always contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms after possible mosquito exposure, especially if you are older or have other health conditions.

How to Protect Yourself (Prevention Tips for Seniors)

The best protection is preventing mosquito bites:

Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Look for products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or 2-undecanone. Follow label instructions carefully.
Wear protective clothing — long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed shoes, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes that carry West Nile are most active.
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin (do not apply permethrin directly to skin).
Keep mosquitoes outside — use screens on windows and doors; repair any holes. Consider using air conditioning when possible.
Eliminate standing water around your home (birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, gutters, old tires, buckets). Mosquitoes breed in even small amounts of water.
Limit outdoor time at peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn) when possible. If you must be outside, take extra precautions.
If you have mobility limitations or live in a care facility, ask staff or family to help check screens, remove standing water, and ensure repellent is available.

When to Call a Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you develop fever, severe headache, confusion, neck stiffness, or muscle weakness — especially during mosquito season or after spending time outdoors. Tell them about possible mosquito exposure.