Jim was diagnosed with West Nile virus after his trip to Goa in 2024. He returned home with mosquito bites and began to feel unwell.

 

How it began

I went on holiday to Goa in India in March 2024 . I remember getting a couple of mosquito bites but they don’t usually affect me, so thought no more of it.

Upon return to the UK, after a couple of days I started to feel unwell, after another couple of days it got much worse and I researched the symptoms and thought it may have been Malaria. 6 days after returning from holiday I called 111 and as a result was taken into hospital in Southampton.

 

Diagnosis 

I was admitted initially with campylobacter but after a few days it was thought that I had Guillian Barre syndrome but after further investigation, some blood samples were sent to Porton Down research centre and a diagnosis of West Nile virus was given. My initial symptoms when I went to hospital were a temperature and diarrhoea, but soon after the doctors noticed that I had a weakness in my left side, I was unable to move my arm and all strength had disappeared on my left side. I was hospitalised for 15 days.

Due to the initial diagnosis, and the mildness of what was thought to be Guillian Barre syndrome the doctor explained that there was no treatment necessary as the disease would go on its own. After the result returned from Porton Down the doctor again explained that there was no treatment for West Nile virus and I would get better. Whilst I was in hospital I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, having been diagnosed previously and had my prostate removed and then radiotherapy. I was released from hospital eventually with a care package in place of physio visits 3 to 4 times a week to regain movement and muscle strength on my left side. This continued for 4 weeks and then further physio and rehabilitation were organised over the next few months.

 

After effects

The after effects have been ongoing, initially, the weakness was obvious and most daily tasks were impossible to do. Over time the weakness on my left side has got better but even nearly a year later I am still having issues with the strength in my left arm doing certain tasks, I was off work for 6 months and have only just finished an extended rehab plan at work. I have suffered and still suffer from fatigue, muscle and joint pain, brain fog and problems with my balance. I cannot say categorically that all of those side effects are purely from the West Nile virus as side effects from the medication and hormone injections are quite similar.  I attend the gym regularly to help regain strength, mobility and muscle tone on my left side, especially my arm. I am on various pain medication for the muscle and joint pain but am still in constant pain and discomfort, but I often feel emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted.

I was advised when I returned to hospital to see the consultant who was in charge of my case in hospital that the symptoms could take up to a year to get better but there was a good chance that I may never be 100 percent back to how I was before I was infected, and this seems to be the case.

 

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Story published May 2025