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Dr. Jeffrey Green's patient complained of a rash, fever, chills, rigors, muscle aches and headaches, all typical influenza symptoms except, the physician said, it's not the right timing for normal flu complaints.
The woman fit the criteria for West Nile virus, and a blood sample was sent to the laboratory normally used by the Pierceton Medical Clinic, which sent it to Indianapolis, which sent it to a lab in Colorado.
It took a week to get the results.
The Wabash County woman had been admitted to the hospital by another doctor for a rash, suspected to be caused by a reaction to medication.
"When I saw her in my office a few days later, she had a lot of the other symptoms, indicative of a bad flu," Green said.
Green has practiced medicine in Whitley County for 25 years, moving to the lakes area and setting up business in the Pierceton Clinic four years ago.
With all the news about the West Nile virus, the doctor took a blood sample and sent it to the regular laboratory used by the clinic.
They sent it to the state lab.
The state lab sent it to a testing facility in Colorado.
It was a week before the results were returned - positive for West Nile.
"I didn't know about the lab in Colorado," Green said. "If there is a faster way, like sending it straight to Colorado, I'll use it next time."
Green said the woman had not visited Allen County, contrary to information given in prior reports.
Allen County has had several birds test positive for the virus.
Treatment consists of providing comfort, including medication for pain, vomiting or diarrhea.
The symptoms will run their course.
"Someone in really good health has a very, very slim change of actually reacting to it. Or have major problems with it. It depends on the individual person and their immune system," Green said.
Scientists are unsure if the body will build up antibodies to the virus. Like any virus, it may transform its makeup.
The best advice is to use insect repellent with DEET and to stay away from mosquito populations.
"This is not something you need to panic about," Green said. "The chances are very, very small anyone is going to have problems with it."
