Symptoms of zika virus are often very mildest and lasts only for some days. However, this virus may also transmitted through sex and has been linked to serious birth defects when contracted by pregnant women. It’s more important than ever for the public to recognize the signs of Zika and, if infected, seek proper medical advice. Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease caused by flavivirus. It was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys through a network that monitored yellow fever. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Upsurge of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. The first outbreak of disease caused by Zika was reported from the Island of Yap.
Indications of Zika Virus:
Headache is the first sign of zika virus infection. Development of a rash, bloodshot eyes, and a high fever in patient takes place when the infection proceeds. According to NBC, the Zika rash occurs in about 90 percent of individuals who report virus symptoms, and appears as a red raised rash that is often itchy, uncomfortable and annoying. Some patients may also feel joint pains in their wrists, knees, and ankles, as well as muscle pain, and pain behind the eyes. These symptoms can last for up to a week and usually appear within two weeks of the initial infection, CBS reported.
Preventions to be Taken:
Pregnant women who believe they may be having Zika symptoms and have travelled to or currently live in areas where the virus is actively spreading are advised to get a blood test. The CDC also recommends that women living in Zika zones or who frequently travel to these areas be tested for the virus during their first and second trimester of pregnancy, even if they do not experience any of these symptoms because the majority of Zika cases are asymptomatic.
In addition, because the virus can be spread through sex, it’s important that men who live in or have travelled to Zika zones use a condom during sexual intercourse with a pregnant partner. Men who were infected with Zika should also wait six months before trying to conceive a child with their partner, since the virus may persist longer in semen. There is no treatment for Zika. The CDC recommends that those who are infected stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and take pain relief medication such as Tylenol to reduce any pain or fever. Ibuprofen and aspirin are not recommended because they raise the risk of bleeding, and one man in Puerto Rico reportedly bleed to death after he had Zika, NBC reported.
