WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) - A man from Wilbraham is recovering at home after being infected with the West Nile Virus nearly two months ago.
The man, who was initially misdiagnosed with a gastro infection and possibly Lyme disease, experienced severe symptoms, including a fever that reached 104 degrees.
"He has paralysis from his shoulder to his elbow. He can't hear well out of his left ear. He has no strength at all," said his wife, who requested not to be on camera.
The man's symptoms began after he and his wife spent time outdoors enjoying their pool on a summer day. Initially, doctors thought he had a gastro infection and sent him home.
His condition worsened, leading to a second hospital visit where he was treated for meningitis. It wasn't until his discharge that doctors confirmed the West Nile Virus diagnosis on August 29th.
Before falling ill, the man worked full-time in public transit. His current health condition has prevented him from returning to work.
The man's wife expressed gratitude for his survival despite the ongoing symptoms and uncertain recovery timeline.
The man's experience serves as a cautionary tale, prompting his wife to urge others to take precautions against mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WWLP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WWLP staff before being published.