West Nile Virus is can cause serious illnesses that affect the central nervous system. The virus in now known throughout the United States. And we all know that the most possible way for a person to become infected is if he/she is bitten by an infected mosquito.

Transplant Recipients

According to reports, people who received transplants may be at a significantly higher risk of developing serious west nile virus diseases, including meningitis and encephalitis.

Increased Risk of Severe West Nile Virus Disease

The reason behind this is that medicines taken by transplant recipients can make it hard to fight infections. Making transplant recipients more likely to develop the severe forms of west nile virus disease, which includes meningitis, encephalitis, even death, more often than people with normal immune systems.

Special Considerations for Transplant Recipients

If a transplant recipient has an unexpected fever and/or neurological symptoms during mosquito season, west nile virus disease should be considered. This includes recipients who develop the infection long after they received their transplants.

Contact your health care provider if you suspect that you have symptoms of west nile virus infection.

Lastly, immunosuppressed recipients may have longer incubation period than a person with normal immune systems. Immunosuppressed recipients may also have delayed development of antibodies.

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