5. Schedule: Set aside 30 minutes, 3 times a week for exercise.

6. Slow and Steady wins race: don't try to do every exercise you know on first day, too much too fast and you will crack under pressure. Start slowly and build up to an exercise routine that fits your lifestyle.

7. Stick to it: NOTHING is more important than your health!

Getting fit is a combination of exercise AND diet. Plan your diet with help of NutriCounter, a fun and easy way to monitor your nutritional intake. The NutriCounter works with any exercise routine! http://www.nutricounter.com/

People who have viral encephalitis or viral meningitis often require intensive care, medications to treat seizures, a breathing machine, and replacement of fluids and electrolytes.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT WNV?

-- Drain any collections of stagnant water found in your yard, neighborhood, or work place. -- Use mosquito repellants containing "DEET," carefully following package directions. * Use a repellant that is no more than 10% DEET for children. * Treat clothing, skin, bedding, tents and tent screens as well as people. * Avoid getting mosquito repellant on hands to prevent getting DEET into mouth, eyes, ears. -- Wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors. -- Avoid wearing bright colors or using perfumes outdoors. Both may attract mosquitoes. -- Stay indoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are more active. -- Report dead birds or other animals to state and local health departments. -- Cooperate with local health department and governmental efforts to rid community of mosquitoes. They use two types of chemicals: Natural compounds that kill larvae and methoprine to kill adults. Methoprine can cause eye irritations or skin rash, though incidence is rare.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WNV?

Go to following resources to find out more about WNV. The CDC site has very latest information, including an up-to-date map showing most current cases.

Centers for Disease Control (2002). Prevention: Avoid mosquito bites to avoid infection. Retrieved August 12, 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

Cunha, B.A. (2002). West Nile encephalitis. Retrieved September 15, 2002. http://www.emedicine.com/med opic3160.htm. (Requires free registration to access).

Petersen, L.R., & Marfin, A.A. (2002). West Nile virus: A primer for clinician. Annals of Internal Medicine(137), 173-179.

**************************************************************** Becky Sisk, PhD., R.N., is owner and webmaster of NurseScribe, http://www.enursescribe.com/. Contact her at becky@enursescribe.com.

This article is for information use only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician if you are concerned any medical conditions.

For free articles on medical topics, go to http://www.eNurseScribe.com/medarts.htm.

****************************************************************