What is Zika?
Zika is a disease which is caused due to the Zika virus and is spread through the infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedesalbopictus).
How is the virustransmitted?
1) Through mosquito bite:
-These mosquito species arethe same who spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. They lay eggs in or nearstanding water in things and prefer staying indoors and outdoors nearpeople and love biting them.
-If a mosquito bites theperson who is infected by Zika virus it would also be infected with the virus,it happens only when the virus is found in the blood of the infected personi.e. almost around one week.
-Infected mosquitoes arealso the ones that play a significant role in the spread of the virus.
2) From a mother:
-Apregnant woman can transmit this virus to the fetus during pregnancy or around thetime of birth, which causes microcephaly and other severe deadly braindefects. Other potential health problems are also caused by this virus.
-Zikavirus has also present in breast milk, but Zika virus transmission throughbreast milk not confirmed yet. Additionally, no one knows the long-termeffects this virus can cause on young infants infected after birth. Because asa matter of astonishment the pieces of evidence now tells that the advantages ofbreastfeeding outnumber the risk of the virus spreading through this transition,CDC continues to encourage mothers to breastfeed, even if they were infected.
3)Sexual transmission:
- Zikavirus can be passed from a person with Zika before, while, or after the symptomsstart or end.
- Studiesare yet to study out how long Zika stays in the semen and vaginal fluids ofpeople who have Zika, and for what interval can it be passed to sex partners. Well,Zika can remain in semen longer than any other body fluids, including vaginalfluids, urine, and blood.
4) Bloodtransfusion:
Thiscause is clearly reported by a study which goes as 2.8% of blood donors testedpositive for Zika and in previous outbreaks, the virus has been found in blooddonors in French.
Howcan you protect yourself?
1) Mosquito bites:
- Use mosquito repellentswhich have ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus(OLE), Para-menthane-diol and 2-undecanone.
- Always follow the labelinstructions. Reapply insect repellent as directed.
- Do not spray repellent onthe skin under clothing. If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen firstand insect repellent second.
- Wear long-sleeved shirtsand long pants, Cover strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
- Use bed nets, don’t washthem or expose them to sunlight as this may cause an increase in chances ofvirus spread.
- Use air conditioning and screens on windows and doors.
- Repair holes and keep aneye to prevent the collection of stagnant water.
2) Sexual Transmission:
- Stop the sharing of sextoys
- Mandatory utilization ofCondoms and dental dams can reduce the chance of spread of the Zika Virus while sexor oral sex.
3) While traveling:
-If you are pregnant take norisk and don’t travel especially to the places with Zika outbreaks and doconsult your doctor before traveling.
- Take a Zika Prevention kitwhich must contain: Bed Net, Condoms, Mosquito Repellent, Permethrin spray andStanding water treatment tabs during your trip.
- After your travel, protectyourself from mosquito bites, protect yourself from sex, and see a health professional.
Can Zika affect animals?
Zika was first discovered ina monkey with a mild fever in the Zika Forest of Uganda in the 1940s. A fewstudies suggest that apes and monkeys infected with Zika may have a fever ormild symptoms.
But only limited studiesshowed that apes and monkeys infected with Zika during pregnancy can developsevere deadly brain defects.
One study in Indonesia done depictedthat horses, cows, water buffaloes, goats, ducks, and bats could becomeinfected with Zika, but there is no evidence. There have not been any reportsof pets or other types of animals becoming sick.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are really mildor sometimes no symptoms are shown. Themost common symptoms of Zika are Fever, Rash, Headache, Joint pain, Conjunctivitis(red eyes), and muscle pain.
The symptoms usually lastfor a week and sometimes no symptoms are shown. Hardly any death case is seenthrough this virus.
How to diagnose the virus?
-To diagnose Zika, a doctoror other healthcare providers will ask about any recent travel and any signs andsymptoms.
-They may order blood orurine tests are taken to determine if you have Zika.
Who should go for testing?
- If you have traveled andhave symptoms
- If you are pregnant andhave symptoms
- Routine check-up if youare pregnant
- If you are Pregnant andhave traveled
What is the treatment?
There is no specificmedicine or vaccine for this virus.
- All you can do is treat your symptoms,Get rest, drink fluids and prevent dehydration, Take medicine to decrease feverand pain.
- If you are taking medicinefor another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider beforeconsuming any medication.
Health effects and risks:
Zika may causeGuillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon problem in the nervous system in which immunesystem damages the nerve cells, weakness in the muscle, and rarely, paralysis.
Sometimes, Zika maycause fatal diseases which affect the brain, causing swelling of the centralnervous system or a blood disorder which can result in bleeding or slow bloodclotting.