Everything You Need to Know About the Zika Virus

On February 1st, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus to be a public health emergency of international importance. The disease was originally discovered within the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947. Almost seventy years later, the disease resurfaced in the Caribbean and quickly spread to the United States with outbreaks being spread through the country from traveling Americans returning home. If you’d like to see if your home state has been affected, click here.

There have been no locally reported cases within the continental United States so far, as all cases of the virus thus far have been acquired through travel.

With the fear and ignorance that can surround outbreaks and global epidemics, it’s important to educate yourself thoroughly on what the virus is, how it can be acquired, and more before making plans to travel to certain areas or leave the country in order to take the best precautions.

What is the Zika virus? 

Zika virus disease is provoked by the bite of an infected mosquito of the Aedes species. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Joint Pain
• Conjunctivitis

en.wikipedia.org

However, most people with Zika virus disease will not know that they have it because it is common to show little to no symptoms. Zika virus disease is likely to last anywhere from a few days to a week.

There have been no reported deaths from the Zika virus disease at this time, however, pregnant women who have come into contact with the virus have later experience birth defects in the form of microcephaly, where the size of the baby’s head is smaller than usual indicating an issue with brain development.

How can I get the Zika virus? 

The Zika virus is transmittable through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos. A recent case in Texas uncovered that the virus is also sexually transmitted. An individual with the virus can pass it onto a partner through male genitals to their sex partners, as the Zika virus remains in semen longer than it can remain in blood. It is currently unknown how long the virus can remain within semen, or if women are capable of passing along the disease to their partners.

How can I protect myself against the Zika virus? 

If you’re visiting an area where the Zika virus has been found, or where mosquito-spread infections are common, take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Wear long sleeves and long pants
• Use EPA-registered insect repellant
• Stay in areas with air conditioning, windows, and/or door screens to prevent mosquitos from entering
• Use a mosquito bed net
• Treat your clothing with permethrin, an insecticide, before traveling

Another vital part in protecting yourself from the Zika virus disease is practicing safe sex, or abstaining from all sexual activity. Use condoms correctly when engaging in vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The only way to be completely safe from getting the Zika virus through sexual activity is not participating in sexual activity. 

I think I have the Zika virus. What do I do? 

First, do not panic. Speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible, especially if you’ve been in an area where Zika virus disease has been found. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider exactly where you traveled.

How can I be cured for the Zika virus? 

At this time, there are no vaccinations or medications available to treat the Zika virus. Instead, treat the symptoms by:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking fluids
• Taking fever-reducing medications, such as Tylenol.
• Avoiding aspirins and anti-inflammatory medications
• Doing all that you can to prevent mosquito bites during the first week of your illness. Infected mosquitos can feed off of you and pass on the disease to other people.

For more information regarding the Zika virus disease please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html