Nipah Virus Infection: Symptoms, Complications, and Prevention

Nipah virus is a very bad infection that can make people and animals very sick. It can spread from animals to people when they eat food that has the virus, or when they touch animals that have the virus. It can also spread from one person to another when they are close to someone who has the virus. The signs of Nipah virus can be different for different people, and they can show up after 4 to 14 days of getting the virus. Some of the signs of Nipah virus are:
- Fever: Fever means your body is very hot because of the infection. It can be low or high, depending on how bad the infection is. Fever can also make you feel cold, sweaty, and tired.
- Headache: Headache means your head hurts a lot because of the infection. It can be mild or severe, and it can affect different parts of your head. Headache can also make you feel dizzy, confused, and sleepy .
- Cough: Cough means your chest and throat are irritated because of the infection. It can be dry or wet, and it can make it hard for you to breathe and talk .
- Muscle pain: Muscle pain means your muscles are sore and swollen because of the infection. It can affect different muscles of your body, such as your neck, back, arms, and legs. Muscle pain can also make you feel weak, tired, and stiff .
- Nausea: Nausea means your stomach is upset because of the infection. It can make you lose your appetite, throw up, have diarrhea, and have stomach ache .
In very bad cases, Nipah virus infection can make your brain swell up, which can make you die. Some of the signs of brain swelling are:
- Disorientation: Disorientation means your brain is not working well because of the infection. It can make you forget things, see things that are not there, and act strangely .
- Drowsiness: Drowsiness means your brain is very tired because of the infection. It can make you sleep a lot, feel lazy, and not pay attention .
- Seizures: Seizures mean your brain is damaged because of the infection. They can make your muscles shake uncontrollably, lose control of your body, and pass out .
- Coma: Coma means your brain is not working at all because of the infection. It can make you not respond to anything, not move at all, and stop breathing .
Nipah virus infection is a very serious and dangerous condition that needs medical help right away. If you have any of the signs mentioned above, you should go to a doctor as soon as possible. There is no medicine or vaccine for Nipah virus infection, but doctors can help you feel better and avoid more problems.