Zika Virus: Symptoms,Diagnosis,Treatment and Prevention

Zika Virus:Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Abstain from spreading the Virus

Zika virus is a mosquito borne illness that is spread by the aedes mosquito the same species that transmits the dengue and chikungunya viruses’ .unlike malaria carrying mosquitoes, aedes is most active during the day. Barrier methods of prevention, such as mosquito nets, are less effective.The mosquitoes can survive in both indoor and outdoor environments. The zika virus was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947 but it has affected people in Africa, Asia, The Pacific islands and South and Central America.

Facts on Zika Virus

• Zika virus cases typically occur in tropical climates.
• Symptoms of zika virus infection can last for up to 1 week but effects on a fetus can be severe.
• Avoiding mosquito bites is a key aspect of zika virus prevention.

Symptoms of Zika Virus

• Skin Rashes
• Fever
• Muscle pains
• Joint pains
• Conjunctivitis
• Red eyes
• Headache
• Vomiting

Infection with the zika virus is rarely severe enough to warrant hospitalization, and it is rarer still for an individual to die as a result.

HOWEVER, COMPLICATIONS OF ZIKA CAN BE DEVASTATING ESPECIALLY IF A WOMAN CONTRACTS THE VIRUS WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT

It can cause a brain defect known as microcephaly in the unborn child .The brain and head of the new born will be smaller in size than is usual.Loss of pregnancy ,still birth and other congenital disabilities are also more likely during the recent outbreak in brazil, there was a 10 fold increases in newborns with microcephaly after October 2015 compared with previous years.There have also been reports of people developing Guallain Barre syndrome.Guallian Barre syndrome is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder that affects the CNS.

Risk Factors:

• From a pregnant woman to her fetus.
• Through sexual contact.
• Possibly, through a blood transfusion.
• To date there have been no known transmissions of the virus from mother to infant during breast feeding.
• After a person has the virus, they are protected from it in the future.

Risk Locations:

A woman who is pregnant should be particularly careful to avoid mosquito bites if she is living in(or) travelling to a country where zika is present .It may be advisable to avoid travel to certain places during pregnancy.The centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) issue travel warnings about zika transmission.

Diagnosis of Zikavirus

• Symptoms of zika resemble those of flu, and they can be so mild that they go unnoticed most people will not visit a doctor.
• HOWEVER A PREGNANT WOMAN WHO EXPERIENCES SYMPTOMS SHOULD SEE A DOCTOR FOR BLOOD TESTING
• Several rapid detection tests are available for qualified laboratories. These are distributed by the CDC.

Treatment of Zika virus

• Get more Rest
• Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration
• Take over the counter painkillers to relieve pain and fever
• The CDC advise against using aspirin (or) other NSAIDS until a diagnosis of dengue has been ruled out in those at risk due to the risk of haemorrhage.The CDC also advise that pregnant women who are diagnosed with zika should be considered for the monitoring of fetal growth and anatomy program every 3 to 4 weeks.

Prevention of Zika virus

There is currently no vaccination to protect against zika avoiding mosquito bites is vital to avoid transmission.

• Used to insect repellent.
• Wear long sleeved garments and long pants.
• Using window screens in the Doors & Windows
• Avoid areas with standing water, by emptying tanks.

INSECT REPELLENTS SHOULD CONTAIN:

• Picaridin
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus.

INSECT REPELLENT IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN APPLIED:

• After applying sunscreen.
• On to clothes as well as the body clothes treated with permethrin.
• Under clothing.

Abstain from spreading the Virus

A man ,who is infected with Zika should do everything possible to avoid being bitten by a mosquito for 3 weeks after symptoms appear because the mosquito can pass the virus to the next person. This includes people must also be careful to avoid unprotected sex as this too can pass on the virus .The CDC recommended using condoms during and after travelling to regions affected by the virus.

             The zika virus is more dangerous than Ebola.This is due to its ability to spread rapidly during a short duration with devastating neurological effects. Although the Ebola virus can kill humans easily it is much harder to transmit the pathogen as opposed to the vector of the aedes Aegypti .Therefore the threat of zika is more concerning than ebola virus.