The discovery of the Zika virus dates back to 1947. It is a mosquito-borne virus that was initially found in the monkeys, but later in 1952, it was identified in humans as well. Uganda and Tanzania were the first two countries where the Zika virus attacked. Later the virus started to spread in various parts of the world.
Symptoms
Studies have found that the majority of the patients suffering from the Zika virus do not experience any symptoms at all. However, its symptoms usually are mild fever, red eyes, muscle, and joint ache, rash, and headache. People with the Zika virus experience the symptoms for about 2 to 7 days. The incubation time of this virus is 2 to 7 days in general.
Transmission
The leading cause of the Zika virus is the bite of a mosquito belonging to the Aedes genus. The peak biting time of this mosquito is early morning and late afternoon. Aedes mosquito is also responsible for transmitting chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever. Some other modes of transmission include, from a virally infected mother to its fetus, blood transfusion, sexual contact, and organ transplant.
Diagnosis
This virus can be diagnosed by performing laboratory tests of suspected individual’s blood, urine, or semen.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no specific vaccine available to treat this disease. Though the Zika virus infection is not severe, and people recover from it by getting immense rest, treating fever and body pain with usual medicines, and consuming plenty of fluids.
Prevention
There are always preventive measures available for every kind of disease. If you follow the measures correctly, you will definitely save yourself and people around you from several infections. If we talk about Zika virus preventive measures then the following work the best,
- Cover yourself entirely while going out with full-length clothes
- Use insect/mosquito repellant sprays
- Cover the windows with nets
- Don’t let water sit on tires, pots, etc.
- Cover your bed with mosquito net while sleeping
Complications caused by Zika virus
Zika virus cases in pregnant women are noticed to result in miscarriages, microcephaly, or other congenital diseases in the fetus. Moreover, Zika virus during pregnancy can also trigger to stillbirth, fetal loss, or preterm birth. However, in older children and adults, the Zika virus can become a cause of myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and neuropathy. Several researchers are working extremely hard to find ways to prevent these lethal complications.
