West Nile takes puzzling toll.

Byline: Karen Mellen

CHICAGO _ As a result of West Nile virus infection, Elizabeth Larmon of Evergreen Park, Ill., experienced a number of expected symptoms _ she was hospitalized for a week with meningitis, a severe inflammation of the brain membranes.

But four days after being hospitalized in August, the 42-year-old mother of four woke up and could not see out of her right eye. That experience placed Larmon on a short but growing list of people who have developed neurological problems besides encephalitis or meningitis from West Nile.

As the mosquito season winds down, scientists are going over a summer's worth of data and medical cases showing that the West Nile virus has produced symptoms unseen in previous outbreaks. Earlier this summer, scientists identified a poliolike paralysis, and there are cases in which the disease attacked other organs.

And many who survived serious disease have found that the road to recovery is a long one.

For Larmon, the vision problem has improved in the last month, and doctors believe the issue will eventually clear up for the otherwise healthy stay-at-home mom. But even today, Larmon said her vision is distorted _ she said she can see everything, but it's as though…