With the heavy rains we have been receiving lately, I thought I would touch on the subject of West Nile Disease. While I have always maintained that it shouldn't be the main reason for getting a sunroom, other people who have been diagnosed with the disease would beg to differ. Some time ago a friend of mine was diagnosed with it. When I spoke to his wife, I mentioned that when you consider how many people are bitten by mosquitoes, not many actually get West Nile, and of those who do, not many have symptoms that were as severe as her husband’s. That's when I was shocked to learn that the medical staff actually considered his symptoms as mild. He had been sick with flu like symptoms for several weeks and was actually having troubles just walking!. Mild? Not to those that have it!
In speaking with his wife it seems that the medical profession doesn't seem to know an awful lot about the disease and that they would often get different information depending on who they were talking to. She also told me that the disease got it's name because it originated in the West Nile and was introduced to North America by birds that carried the disease. It seems to strike almost anyone, but is more severe for the elderly or those with a weakened immune system. Luckily for my friend he was in very good shape before contacting the disease, which has helped him to fight off the disease and help the healing process. The other interesting fact is that once you've had it you most likely will never get it again. At least there is some good news.
I still think there are many other benefits to having a sunroom other than the prevention of West Nile, but to those that have had it, it is one more valid reason!