By: Kali Nicole
knicole@klkntv.com
The CDC says 2012 is on track to be the worst year for West Nile since it came to the United States in 1999. Most of the cases are in Texas, but Carol Brandl is proof Nebraskans aren't immune.
It's nice having a day off work, but being forced to sit at home for a month is not that relaxing for Carol Brandl. But the doctor orders she must stay put maybe for another two weeks, all because of the West Nile virus.
"She said if I didn't take it seriously and start resting and start drinking lots of fluids and watching it, that it could enlarge my spleen or affect my nervous system," said Brandl.
Carol contracted the potentially deadly virus in early July. After several weeks of flu-like symptoms, she finally went to a clinic. A blood test, the only way to find out if you have the virus, confirmed it was.
Carol is one of the 1,600 people across the nation with West Nile, and she thinks that number is low.
"Even when you go to the doctor your symptoms aren't bad enough that they would really do testing so I don't think people should be afraid to ask for one test. They may find out it's up even higher than it is when you were really diagnosed with it," said Brandl.
West Nile has been on a rapid rise this summer, up 40 percent this week alone. So far, 66 people have died from it this year and while most cases still belong in Texas, Carol says she's proof Nebraskans can get the nasty bites too.
"I'll probably be a psycho about insect repellent from now on but I think it's just, if I wasn't any luckier or unlucky than anyone else. I was just in the wrong place at the right time," said Brandl.
Carol says after hearing her story, anybody who hasn't been feeling well for a while now should go get checked. An easy blood test could mean saving your life.
