ZIKA VIRUS
Zika is a mosquito-borne disease that may cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.
During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.
Symptoms
Most people infected with Zika virus will not even know they have the disease because they will not have symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.
It is recommended to see a doctor if a person is pregnant and develops a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after traveling to a place where Zika has been reported. The individual should also tell the doctor where they have traveled.
Zika is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People do not usually get sick enough to go to the doctor and very rarely die from Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been
17 The Basics
infected. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, diseases spread through the same mosquitoes that transmit Zika.
If a person exhibits symptoms described previously and has visited a Zika infested area, they need to see their healthcare provider, who may order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue fever or chikungunya.
Treatment
There is no vaccine or medical treatment for the Zika virus. There are ways to treat symptoms, which are: • Get plenty of rest. • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. • Take medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol® paracetamol to reduce fever and pain.
• Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding.
• If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.
• If you have Zika, prevent mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.
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