Here some FAQ about Zika virus infection:
Q: What is Zika virus (Zika)?
A: Zika is a viral infection. An infected Aedes mosquito transmits it by the bite. Plague typically occur in tropical Southeast Asia and Africa. Brazil has reported the first outbreak of Zika in the Americas in May 2015. Now, Zika is present in many tropical regions.
Q: How does individual get Zika?
A: person most often gets Zika through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This is the same mosquito which spreads chikungunya and dengue disease.
Q: Who gets Zika?
A: Anyone who gets bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito can suffer Zika.
Q: What are the signals of Zika?
A: About 1 in 5 people develops symptoms and infection are usually slight. The most common symptoms are rash, fever, red eyes, or joint pain. The Others include a headache and muscle pain. Symptoms usually begin two to seven days after being infected by an infected mosquito. This lasts for few days to a week. Zika is rare to cause hospitalization and death.
Q: How is Zika can be diagnosed?
A: Most of the symptoms of Zika are alike to symptoms of chikungunya and dengue. Visit your healthcare provider if you get the symptoms that are explained above or have attended a region where Zika is present. Your healthcare provider may instruct blood tests to determine Zika or other similar viruses if you are at risk.
Q: What is the difference between Zika, Dengue Fever, and Chikungunya?
A: All of these viruses induce similar symptoms, but certain symptoms prompt one disease or another. Most patients of Zika have skin rashes; Most dengue fever patients have a higher fever and more severe muscle illness; Most chikungunya patients have a higher fever and more profound joint pain in the hands, back, knees, and feet.
Q: What is the Treatment for Zika?
A: There is no special treatment for Zika. Treatment is done to relieve the symptoms. Symptoms are treated by getting rest to recharge energy, prevent dehydration by drinking fluids, and taking medicines such as acetaminophen to reduce fever or pain. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, should be avoided. Why? Because it can increase the risk of bleeding. Ensure the patients does not suffer dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Q: Can People with Zika Transmit the illness to the others?
A: Zika needs a vector to infect the human. That vector is the Aedes mosquito. However, Zika virus has been discovered in semen. Moreover, the person-to-person sexual spread has been documented. Travelers who travel to an area with Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after they leave the Zika-affected region. It is done to avoid spreading the virus, even if they do not feel sick. Only 1 in 5 infected person shows symptoms. Zika virus can be discovered in the blood of an infected traveler and transmitted to another through the bite of the mosquito. Then, an infected one can spread the virus to another individual.
Q: How Can Zika be Avoided?
A: Until this day, no vaccine or preventive drug is available. The best method to prevent Zika is to evade mosquito bites, especially in an area where Zika is present.
Other ways to prevent Zika, such as:
1. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
2. When you are indoors, use air conditioning, window screens or insecticide-treated mosquito netting to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
3. Lower the number of mosquitoes outside the home. Emptying or routinely changing standing water from containers.
4. Wear long sleeves and pants, especially when you are in outdoors.
Q: What is the Risk of Zika in Pregnancy?
A: Zika can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus. There have been notifications of a serious birth malformation of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes while pregnant. CDC recommends the following special preventions:
Women who are pregnant (in any trimester):
- Postpone travel to any region where Zika is present.
- If you must go to that area, visit your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps of your doctor during your trip.
Women who are trying to become pregnant:
- Before you go on traveling, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection.
- Strictly follow ways to avoid mosquito bites during your trip.
- Your health care provider.
- Your local health department.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- CDC Travel Health Notices
Want to know more about Zika Virus? Read all about Zika virus disease or visit Zika Virus Disease.
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