Idaho man left with West Nile virus after being bitten by mosquitoes at a state park – and he may suffer pain, fatigue and random fevers for life
- Lance Bottoms, from Boise, Idaho, was bitten by mosquitoes while visiting Eagle Island State Park in July
- Two days later, he developed flu-like symptoms and went to the hospital
- Bottoms was first diagnosed with pneumonia, and then West Nile virus at a follow-up doctor’s appointment
- He was told he may experience symptoms of the disease for up to a year and potentially the rest of his life
An Idaho man believes he contracted West Nile virus after he was bitten by mosquitoes at a state park.
Two days after Lance Bottoms visited Eagle Island State Park in July, he began experiencing flu-like symptoms including a headache and a fever.
He visited went a local hospital in Boise, where doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia, reported KTVB.
At a follow-up appointment a few days later, his wife requested a West Nile Virus test – and Bottoms tested positive for the disease.
The virus is rare and Bottoms is third human case recorded in Idaho this year, according to KTVB.
Lance Bottoms (left, with his wife, and right), from Boise, Idaho, was bitten by mosquitoes while visiting Eagle Island State Park in July. Two days later, he started experiencing flu-like symptoms and went to the hospital
Bottoms was diagnosed with pneumonia and then West Nile virus at a follow-up doctor’s appointment. Pictured: One of Bottoms’s Facebook status about the disease
West Nile virus is a disease that is spread through the bites of mosquitoes, which become infected after feeding on infected birds.
Cases generally tend to spike during the summer and fall months, between June and September, when activity is the most common.
Although most people don’t develop symptoms, approximately 20 percent will develop an infection known as West Nile Fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms include severe headaches, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
The agency recommends that anyone who develops these symptoms after being bitten by mosquitoes seek immediate medical attention’
Although there is no vaccine to protect against West Nile virus, over-the-counter pain medication can help treat symptoms such as fever.
The illness can sometimes be fatal. About one out of 150 infected people dying from complications due to the virus.
This includes permanent muscle weakness, joint pain, balance problems and irreversible brain damage
Last year, there were 167 deaths out of the 2,647 cases reported across the US. So far this year, 128 cases – and no deaths – have been reported.
Bottoms has not returned to work since being diagnosed and currently experiences headaches, back pain and low energy. Pictured: Bottoms, left, with his wife
He was told he may experience symptoms of the disease for up to a year and potentially for the rest of his life. Pictured: Bottoms, left, with his wife over Halloween
Bottoms told KTVB that he has not returned to work since being diagnosed.
‘Every once in a while, I feel sick and I get winded pretty easy,’ Bottoms said. ‘I have lost the ability to say what I want to say in conversation.’
He currently experiences bouts of headaches, high fevers, coughing, back pain and a lack of energy, according to a Facebook post.
Bottoms told the station that his doctor said his symptoms could last for as long as a year – and potentially for the rest of his life.
Health officials recommend protecting yourself by wearing long sleeves and pants as well as bug spray when going outside.
They also suggest draining any standing water because mosquitoes are attracted to still water.