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American Morning

Paging Dr. Gupta: West Nile Confusion

Aired August 19, 2003 - 08:46   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As if the West Nile virus isn't enough of a headache for doctors, there's a milder condition out there with symptoms that mimic those of West Nile.
With us now from the CNN Center to sort this out is Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Hi, Sanjay, good morning.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

Yes, we're talking about viral meningitis and it's similarities to West Nile Virus.

First an update first of all on West Nile Virus. It's certainly something we've been talking about all summer, in fact over the last four years. But a bit of an update, Sort of startling numbers. But about two weeks ago, the numbers of West Nile tripled, and this past week, the numbers tripled again.

Most surprising is some of the states that have been hardest hit by the West Nile Virus. In fact, Colorado has about 200 victims in this particular year, only 14 last year. Incidentally, the numbers of cases totaled 536. There are 11 deaths. Those numbers certainly lower than last year, but we're only priming up for the season. West Nile season really starting this month and next month will be the hardest hit.

Now viral meningitis is something that can sometimes mimic, as you say, Soledad, West Nile Virus. About 25,000 to 50,000 cases of this. Meningitis always sounds pretty serious, but in fact, this particular meningitis, a viral or a septic meningitis, oftentimes not so serious. Seven states also being hard hit by this particular meningitis as well, seven states around the country. Some of those the same states as the West Nile Virus. Some of those states, it gets a little confusing as to which is which, and that's where the confusion lies.

The good news is really -- and there are similarities and differences between them, but the good news is that most people will recover from both of these things, an important point. Most of the people who get West Nile Virus will never even know that they have it, and only about a thousand people who are exposed to the particular virus that causes meningitis will get sick, one in a thousand. There are some similarities again. Summer, early fall symptoms are going to be the seasons that's popular for both of these. You're going to get fever, mild rashes, sensitivity to light, stiff or sore neck. Those symptoms can be with either West Nile or meningitis. There is no treatment for either, but again, most people will recover from this.

There are some important differences as well when you look at the two. The differences are probably more crucial even than the similarities. Take a look at the list here. first of all, the age range for the two is going to be very different. The age range for West Nile incidentally, Soledad. This year the average age, 46. Last year, it was about 56. So it is younger this year than it was last year, but certainly not nearly as young as it is with viral meningitis, where the average age is about 13.

Meningitis can be caused by a number of viruses, and another very important points. Meningitis can be spread person to person, whereas West Nile can be spread only by mosquitoes.

Again, Soledad, the bottom line with all of this is that West Nile can mimic all sorts of different diseases, including meningitis, including the flu. If you get either one of these, meningitis or West Nile, the chances are statistically that you are going to recover and do just fine.

O'BRIEN: But walk in and check it out with your doctor, first. Obviously, you probably can't tell; you need your doctor to tell you.

GUPTA: That's right. And the doctor can obviously give you the best hint as to which it is, and can also probably educate you on prevention strategies as to what you can do about it. I mean, with West Nile Virus, you've heard a lot of the strategies, but there are some strategies for meningitis as well, ways to prevent that, tips that your doctor will probably give you. One is that we talk about all of the time, and I wash hands frequently, and I know it almost sounds silly the number of times that we say this, but it can prevent so many different diseases, including meningitis, disinfect contaminated surfaces. If you have a young baby at home, in particular, this is important. Avoid sharing drinks with someone that is ill. West Nile Virus again, put up the recommendations there as well for West Nile are worth repeating, especially this time of year when the numbers are supposed to grow exponentially.

Get rid of standing water around the house. This isn't just the spare tire with water in it. It might be a flower pot. It might be things like that. Organize mosquito protection programs. Use repellent with deet. There are all sorts of mosquito repellents out there. A mosquito repellent with deet will be your best bet, both for adults and children. Wear long pants and sleeves as well -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right, Sanjay, great advice. Thank you very much.

GUPTA: Good to see you. Take care.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired August 19, 2003 - 08:46   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As if the West Nile virus isn't enough of a headache for doctors, there's a milder condition out there with symptoms that mimic those of West Nile.
With us now from the CNN Center to sort this out is Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Hi, Sanjay, good morning.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

Yes, we're talking about viral meningitis and it's similarities to West Nile Virus.

First an update first of all on West Nile Virus. It's certainly something we've been talking about all summer, in fact over the last four years. But a bit of an update, Sort of startling numbers. But about two weeks ago, the numbers of West Nile tripled, and this past week, the numbers tripled again.

Most surprising is some of the states that have been hardest hit by the West Nile Virus. In fact, Colorado has about 200 victims in this particular year, only 14 last year. Incidentally, the numbers of cases totaled 536. There are 11 deaths. Those numbers certainly lower than last year, but we're only priming up for the season. West Nile season really starting this month and next month will be the hardest hit.

Now viral meningitis is something that can sometimes mimic, as you say, Soledad, West Nile Virus. About 25,000 to 50,000 cases of this. Meningitis always sounds pretty serious, but in fact, this particular meningitis, a viral or a septic meningitis, oftentimes not so serious. Seven states also being hard hit by this particular meningitis as well, seven states around the country. Some of those the same states as the West Nile Virus. Some of those states, it gets a little confusing as to which is which, and that's where the confusion lies.

The good news is really -- and there are similarities and differences between them, but the good news is that most people will recover from both of these things, an important point. Most of the people who get West Nile Virus will never even know that they have it, and only about a thousand people who are exposed to the particular virus that causes meningitis will get sick, one in a thousand. There are some similarities again. Summer, early fall symptoms are going to be the seasons that's popular for both of these. You're going to get fever, mild rashes, sensitivity to light, stiff or sore neck. Those symptoms can be with either West Nile or meningitis. There is no treatment for either, but again, most people will recover from this.

There are some important differences as well when you look at the two. The differences are probably more crucial even than the similarities. Take a look at the list here. first of all, the age range for the two is going to be very different. The age range for West Nile incidentally, Soledad. This year the average age, 46. Last year, it was about 56. So it is younger this year than it was last year, but certainly not nearly as young as it is with viral meningitis, where the average age is about 13.

Meningitis can be caused by a number of viruses, and another very important points. Meningitis can be spread person to person, whereas West Nile can be spread only by mosquitoes.

Again, Soledad, the bottom line with all of this is that West Nile can mimic all sorts of different diseases, including meningitis, including the flu. If you get either one of these, meningitis or West Nile, the chances are statistically that you are going to recover and do just fine.

O'BRIEN: But walk in and check it out with your doctor, first. Obviously, you probably can't tell; you need your doctor to tell you.

GUPTA: That's right. And the doctor can obviously give you the best hint as to which it is, and can also probably educate you on prevention strategies as to what you can do about it. I mean, with West Nile Virus, you've heard a lot of the strategies, but there are some strategies for meningitis as well, ways to prevent that, tips that your doctor will probably give you. One is that we talk about all of the time, and I wash hands frequently, and I know it almost sounds silly the number of times that we say this, but it can prevent so many different diseases, including meningitis, disinfect contaminated surfaces. If you have a young baby at home, in particular, this is important. Avoid sharing drinks with someone that is ill. West Nile Virus again, put up the recommendations there as well for West Nile are worth repeating, especially this time of year when the numbers are supposed to grow exponentially.

Get rid of standing water around the house. This isn't just the spare tire with water in it. It might be a flower pot. It might be things like that. Organize mosquito protection programs. Use repellent with deet. There are all sorts of mosquito repellents out there. A mosquito repellent with deet will be your best bet, both for adults and children. Wear long pants and sleeves as well -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right, Sanjay, great advice. Thank you very much.

GUPTA: Good to see you. Take care.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com