Guide To West Nile Virus Symptoms

Neck Stiffness

Neck stiffness with West Nile virus is more problematic than flu-like symptoms because a stiff neck might be a sign encephalitis or meningitis is developing. With this symptom, the neck itself is sore, and the patient has pain when they try to move it, especially if they try to move their neck forward. This is called nuchal rigidity. It is different from the stiff neck that happens with a strain or sprain, as in those cases the individual has pain when they try to move their head from side to side. The neck stiffness associated with a case of meningitis or encephalitis that’s a complication of West Nile virus happens because the meninges have become inflamed. The meninges are the three layers of tissue that protect the brain and run down the spinal cord. Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain itself.

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