Zika Virus is a Mosquito Borne viral disease, which represents similar symptoms as a dengue or yellow fever and west nile virus. Through this blog, we will discuss its symptoms, spread, diagnosis, effects in pregnancy and others.
Zika virus can spread and contaminate people via a mosquito bite (containing the virus) primarily, it can also spread through sexual intercourse or it may pass on to the fetus through the mother and lead to certain birth defects like microcephaly. The virus responsible can be Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. The viral infection can resolve by itself as it's usually mild. Zika virus is usually found in many parts of the world such as the outbreak in the Caribbean, America, Africa, and Asia. Zika is a serious viral infection when it affects pregnant females as it may cause serious damage to the brain which might hamper the conduct of life.
How Does the Disease Spread?
It may spread in different ways such as
- Mosquito bite- The most common way to get infected with a zika virus is through mosquito bite such as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. They carry the virus after biting the infected person and can spread it further to other people.
- During pregnancy- If you are pregnant and a mosquito carrying the zika virus bites you, there are high chances that the virus travels through the placenta and infects your unborn child. If the foetus is infected with the virus, there are possibilities that the child would be born with certain birth defects such as microcephaly, seizures, hearing loss, vision problems, reye's syndrome etc.
- Sexual contact- if you have had the zika virus with symptoms or without symptoms, there are studies that prove that the virus can be present into body fluids such as semen, for several weeks to months after you get infected. Which can get transmitted during any type of sexual contact.
- Blood transfusions- The spread of virus through blood can happen if the blood is contaminated with the virus.
What Are the Symptoms of Zika Virus Infection?
Zika virus remains symptom less in most cases but it may represent symptoms like
- Fever
- Joint pain (arthralgia)
- Conjunctivitis/pink eye- Redness in the white of the eye and inflamed eye
- Maculopapular rash- Rashes with mixed flat red and raised skin
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Zika rash- red spots that can be raised, flat or both
These symptoms usually get dissolved within a week and clear up on their own. Very rarely it can lead to extensive care and hospitalisation.
Zika in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you might get infected with Zika virus by a contaminated mosquito bite. This virus can travel through the placenta and cause complications to the foetus. Certain pregnancy related zika complications are mentioned below-
- Microcephaly- microcephaly means a smaller head than usual average. It may mean that your child’s brain is lacking in development.
- Congenital Zika syndrome- the zika syndrome when it affects newborn children, it is known as congenital zika syndrome. The syndrome is a combination of
- Microcephaly
- Collapsed skull
- Brain tissue reduction
- Eye damage
- Issues in joint
- hypertonia (Too much muscle tone)
- Cerebral palsy- Cerebral palsy typically affects the coordination and ability to control muscles.
- Low birth weight- Zika infection in newborn can cause low birth weight
- Vision problems- Zika infection in newborn can lead to vision problems
- Hearing problems- Zika infection in newborn can cause obvious hearing problems
- Improper brain development- zika virus may lead to impaired brain development leading to certain discrepancies such as
- Neural tube defects
- Absence of fold of brain
- Smooth brain (lissencephaly)
- Hydrocephalus
- Missing brain structure
- Brain atrophy
- Other brain tissue defects
How to Diagnose Zika Infection?
Diagnosis of zika virus involves
- History of travel
- History of sign and symptoms
- Other medical history (of jaundice or malaria type infectious signs and symptoms)
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Molecular tests for virus detection
- Serological tests for antibodies detection
- Ultrasound to monitor foetal growth and development
Treatment of Zika Infection
There is no specific medicine or vaccine to cure zika infection but certain measures can be taken such as
- Supportive care that includes
- Treating symptoms
- Drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration
- Take enough rest and plenty of rest
- Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen (tylenol)
- Medications to reduce fever such as acetaminophen
What Medications Should I Not Take?
- You should avoid taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) until you have tested negative for dengue because taking NSAID during dengue fever can cause risk of bleeding
- Continue taking medications only after consulting your doctor
- You should avoid taking aspirin if you have risk of Reye syndrome especially for children less than 19
Conclusion
Zika virus is a harmless virus while it is symptomless, it may be potentially damaging when infected during pregnancy. Hence taking regular checkups and USG scans during pregnancy is important for keeping a check whether the foetus is developing with a correct pace and development.
Frequently Asked Questions
For how long can someone transmit Zika virus?
If you had asymptomatic zika virus, it can be transmitted upto 8 weeks, but if it is asymptomatic zika virus precautions need to be taken for upto 6 months
Is Zika permanent in the body?
When Zika virus affects adults, they usually go away by themselves after some time. But it can be inevitable that if a pregnant lady gets infected, the foetus also gets affected with abnormalities that may stay forever.
Is Zika a communicable disease?
Yes, it can be transmitted when an infected person is in a transmissible phase. The spread can be due to sexual intercourse, blood transfusion or others.
Does Zika virus affect sperm?
It is found that sperm count per ml and per ejaculation at 60-90 days after getting infected is decreased.
Is Zika curable and treatable?
There is specifically no medication for Zika virus but taking precautions and treating symptoms can relieve it. Although it resolves by itself in a few days or weeks. Only when the foetus is affected, can it manifest as a congenital abnormality which is evident and affects quality of life.
