West nile virus secondary prevention

Overview
There are many factors that can cause secondary infections of a person infected with West Nile Virus. Encephalitis is a possible secondary infection and one of the biggest risk factors for developing encephalitis is old age.

Once infected, treatment                is supportive, often involving:
 * Hospitalization
 * Intravenous fluids
 * Respiratory support
 * Prevention of secondary infections for                patients with severe disease.

Ribavirin in high doses and interferon alpha-2b were found to                  have some activity against West Nile Virus in vitro, but no controlled studies                   have been completed on the use of these or other medications,                   including steroids, antiseizure drugs, or osmotic agents, in                   the management of West Nile Virus encephalitis.