Steve, here is a basic summary of human symptoms from CDC. I posted a link to that site already, but here it is again. It's not incredibly informative, but gives you the basics.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm

Here's another one as well.

http://www.westnilefever.com/

An exerpt,

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

Q. Who is at risk for getting West Nile encephalitis? A. All residents of areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis; persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

Q. What are the symptoms of West Nile encephalitis? A. Most infections are mild, and symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and, rarely, death.

Q. What is the incubation period in humans (i.e., time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis? A. Usually 3 to 15 days.

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), August 14, 2002

Answers

Thanks Patty , I checked out the web site and realized West Nile isn't the only encephalitis one could catch .I don't have fever but have some sythoms I thought sounded similar , It's not the time of year for colds and I felt good last night but today what ever I have , hit me so fast. I don't get local TV in my area ( the mountains block the signals ) but I read in the local papers that the health dept. here is getting a lot of calls and questains on West Nile virus . So others here must have what I got and the symthoms must resemble encephalitis.I realized from the website , even if someone gets it , there's not much treatment that can help. I'm one of those , stay away from the doctors person , and usually try to treat my colds at the first signs. It was thoughful of you to post the information and websites . I'm sharing some of my cold remedies, one is drinking alot of apple juice , organic if possible , and not the concentrate . It's good to drink it freely during cold season , it's a great preventative also . Shitake mushrooms are also a preventative and treatment for colds and are used in Asian cultures for this purpose. I use them in soups , miso soup is a favorite one. Miso also has anti bacterial properties .Just my luck none of these foods are in my house at the present. It's time to make the long drive to Knoxville .

-- SM Steve (Unreal@home.com), August 14, 2002.

Steve,

The symptoms you described "back ache and while in town earlier today , the pain seems to have spread to my neck up to the back of my head and ears . I also have that weak muscle shakey feeling" are typical of a viral infection, these occur during virus replication and is one of the distinguishing factors between a bacteria and viral infection. Also, understan dthat the West Nile usually mimics flu like symptoms (back muscle aches, chills and fever, etc.). Normally, not compromised immune system your body treats it like a flu and recovers, might consider taking any immune boosting and anti-oxidants herbs that you have on hand to limits the symptoms.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), August 14, 2002.

Thanks BC , I'm feeling a little better today . I have a habit of trying to take on the work of three lifetimes and cram than into one. In other words , I've been doing to much lattley. I'm gonna take a run into the hills today and see if I could find me some wild Goldern Seal root .Is Goldern seal root an anti-oxidant herb? Which reminds me ,I had told 2 people a few months ago , on another forum , I'd send them some Goldern seal root for them to plant in their garden.

-- SM Steve (Unreal@home.com), August 15, 2002.