Zika Virus (Aedes Mosquito) | Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment in India

What is Zika Virus ?

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika).The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. In humans, it causes a mild illness known as zika, Zika disease, or Zika fever, which since 1950s has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. In 2014, the virus spread eastward across the Pacific to French Polynesia, then to Easter Island and in 2015 to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean and is now considered pandemic.

Zika Virus Symptoms:

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill
The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting
The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week
Severe disease requiring hospitalisation is uncommon
No death due to Zika has been reported in adults.

THE US CDC ALERT & GUIDELINES ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS

Maternal-foetal transmission of Zika virus has been documented
In a pregnant woman with laboratory evidence of Zika virus in serum or amniotic fluid, serial ultrasounds should be considered to monitor fetal anatomy and growth every 3-4 weeks. Referral to a maternal-foetal medicine or infectious disease specialist with expertise in pregnancy management is recommended.
Because there is neither a vaccine nor medications available to prevent Zika virus infection, it is recommended that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
If a pregnant woman travels to an area with Zika virus transmission she should be advised to strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite both indoors and outdoors, mostly during the daytime; therefore, it is important to ensure protection from mosquitoes throughout the day.
Mosquito prevention strategies include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents, using permethrin-treated clothing and gear, and staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.
There is no commercially available test for Zika virus. Testing for Zika virus infection is performed at Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and several state health departments. Health care providers should contact their state or local health department to facilitate testing and for assistance with interpreting results.
For a live birth with evidence of maternal or foetal Zika virus infection, the CDC recommends examination of the placenta and umbilical cord; testing of frozen placental tissue and cord tissue for Zika virus RNA; and testing of cord serum for Zika and dengue virus IgM and neutralizing antibodies.

To Avoid mosquito bites

Use insect repellents
If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent
Do not spray insect repellent on the skin under your clothing
Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing
Always follow the label instructions when using insect repellent or sunscreen
When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside
Use a mosquito bed net
Empty standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.

Zika Virus Diagnosis

The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, which are diseases caused by other viruses spread by the same type of mosquitoes.
See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above.
If you have recently travelled, tell your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue or chikungunya viruses.

Zika Virus Treatment

There is no medicine to treat Zika.
Treat the symptoms:
Get plenty of rest
Drink fluids
Take medicines, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of haemorrhage.

Source: Ladduz.in