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Updated: Jul 21, 2025

Portable Thermographic Screening for Detection of Acute Wallenberg's Syndrome
Published on: September 19, 2019
Symmetric Ascending Paralysis Secondary to West Nile Virus
Alex Ashkin1, Nicole Saccone1, Jose Valle2
1NCH Graduate Medical Education, Naples, FL, USA.
Abstract:
West Nile virus (WNV) is classified as a Flavivirus, belonging to a Japanese encephalitis subgroup often transmitted via mosquitoes. The classic presentation of a WNV infection usually displays high fevers, myalgias, and headache which can progress to neck stiffness, stupor, and coma (Case Rep Infect Dis. 2020;2020:6501658). Our case study presented with a rare manifestation of ascending paralysis, encompassing the feared neuroinvasive disease pattern that is seldom exhibited. This case had an unusual presentation as certain manifestations experienced by our patient closely resembled that of Guillain-Barré syndrome, although others were more indicative of poliomyelitis-like syndrome. Overall, the mainstay of therapy in both conditions is supportive care, although the prognosis varies substantially depending on the underlying diagnosis.

