Ten Facts About Zika Virus
Zika virus disease is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika Forest in Uganda. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Here are ten facts about zika virus.
Transmission
Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Zika is an RNA virus related to the West Nile, yellow fever, and dengue viruses, and passed on by the bite an infected Aedes mosquito. The Zika virus is also sexually transmitted by men infected with Zika to both female and male partners.
Symptoms
Eighty percent of people who become infected never have symptoms. In those who do, the most common Zika virus symptoms are fever and rash. It can also cause muscle and joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and conjunctivitis (itchy, red eyes)
Diagnosis
Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history of travel. A diagnosis of Zika virus infection can only be confirmed through laboratory tests on blood or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or semen.
spread rapidly
Zika began in Africa and spread rapidly. The virus was first discovered in 1947 in a rhesus macaque in the Zika forest in Uganda. Researchers there found that it lived in mosquitoes, and they learned through experimentation that it could also infect mice.
vaccination
There’s no vaccine to protect against the Zika virus, but researchers are working on one. Once a person becomes infected with the virus they usually develop immunity to future infections.
Treatment
No effective treatment is available for Zika infection, but over-the-counter fever or pain medication can be helpful for symptom relief. Pregnant women with Zika should get more frequent ultrasounds, which is the only reliable way to detect microcephaly before a baby is born. Although a blood test can be used to diagnose a Zika virus infection, there is no current treatment for the disease. People who get sick can take medicines such as acetaminophen to reduce the fever and pain associated with the infection.
Prevention
Mosquito control can help prevent Zika virus disease. This is the primary and easy thing. Mosquitoes are the major reason for almost viral disease. So control of mosquito help you disease free life. using physical barriers such as window screens or closing doors and windows; sleeping under mosquito nets; and using insect repellent containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin according to the product label instructions.
Travellers Should Be Care
Zika virus spread rapidly. So be carefully about travellers. Travels from one country to another, take a clear medical check up takes.
Researches And Studies
Researchers are studying the potential link between the Zika virus in pregnant women and microcephaly in their babies. Microcephaly is a birth defect that impairs brain development and can cause mild to severe cognitive delays, learning disabilities and impaired motor functions. The condition is marked by an abnormally small head.
How can I find out if I have it?
Right now there are no commercial diagnostic tests for Zika, so unless you’re pregnant or are a traveller with symptoms, your doctor may not test you. That’s because of the high volume of blood samples already waiting to be tested, which right now can be done only by state and federal health authorities.
