THE ZIKA DISEASE AND HOW YOU CAN PREVENT IT
- Anthony F. Lemmo
- Jan 27, 2016
- 4 min read
A few weeks ago the Center for Disease Control (CDC) publicly released a statement in regards to the emergence of a new mosquito born virus in which can only be transmitted through direct contact with a mosquito bite. The CDC stated that no strains of the ZIKA virus has not yet reported here in The United States; however the agency has placed a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where the ZIKA virus transmission and outbreak is ongoing.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed ZIKA virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
The professionals of the CDC state that an infected person who becomes infected with the ZIKA virus will develop symptoms which include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The CDC states that the illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week; Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and anyone who feels the virus has been transmitted to them or if they have traveled outside of the United States where the outbreak in common and ongoing then the CDC encourages that you go to your family doctor or to the emergency room to get checked for the ZIKA virus.
According to reports by the CDC there currently is No vaccine to prevent the Zika virus disease (Zika). They did state in order to avoid Zika is to avoid mosquito bites and take preventing actions to prevent the bite of a mosquito especially if outside during the day time, The Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread both the dengue and chikungunya viruses, so the CDC encourages all to ensure they take precautionary action in order to avoid becoming infected by a transmitted mosquito.
The CDC states If you have Zika, protect others from getting sick
During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.
To help prevent others from getting sick, avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness.
When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, take the following steps:
Use insect repellents
When used as directed, insect repellents are safe and effective for everyone, including pregnant and nursing women.
Most insect repellents can be used on children. Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus in children under the age of three years.
Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide long lasting protection.
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. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
Help reduce the number of mosquitoes inside and outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.
Symptoms
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). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.
The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.
Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for a few days but it can be found longer in some people.
Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
Deaths are rare.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, diseases spread through the same mosquitoes that transmit Zika.
See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where Zika is found.
If you have recently traveled, tell your healthcare provider when and where you traveled.
Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue or chikungunya.
Treatment
No vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat Zika infections.
Treat the symptoms:
Get plenty of rest
Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
Take medicines, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain
Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage (bleeding). If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.
If you have Zika, avoid mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.
During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites.
An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.
The CDC has designed a website designed for medical professionals, The agency encourages all medical professionals to read over the information and to become well acquainted with the virus and disease.
Medical professionals are encouraged to visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/index.html for additional information and resources
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