When we talk about dengue in our country, we all get a little scared, don't we? Today we are going to talk about a virus that is also transmitted by mosquitoes, but has a slightly different effect. That is the Zika virus. Maybe you have heard of this name, maybe not. However, it is very important to be aware of this, especially if you are someone who is thinking of starting a family.
Simply put, what is the Zika virus?
Zika is a viral disease transmitted by a specific type of mosquito . To be precise, the same Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya in our country can also transmit this virus. Once this virus enters the body, it uses our cells to make more virus particles.
But the amazing thing is that many people who develop this disease do not show any symptoms , or if they do, they show very mild symptoms. Therefore, many people do not even know that they have this disease.
However, the biggest and most serious risk is if a pregnant mother contracts this infection. If that happens, the virus can seriously damage the developing brain of the baby in the womb.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus?
As we mentioned earlier, not everyone who is infected will develop symptoms. Only about one in five (1/5) of those infected will develop symptoms . If symptoms do develop, they usually last from a few days to about a week.
Check out the table below to see what the main symptoms are.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Fever | A mild fever. |
| Headache | Occasional headaches. |
| Joint pain | Pain in the joints of the limbs. |
| Redness of the eyes | Redness of the whites of the eyes (conjunctivitis). The eyes may feel like they are inflamed. |
| Skin rash | A rash that appears as a mixture of red, flat, and slightly raised spots on the skin. Sometimes these can be itchy. |
How is this virus transmitted?
There are several main ways the Zika virus can be transmitted. It is very important to be aware of these.
| Method of transmission | How it happens |
|---|---|
| By mosquitoes | This is the main and most common way . When a mosquito that has bitten an infected person bites a healthy person, the virus is transmitted to the other person. |
| From pregnant mother to child | If the mother is infected with Zika during pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the baby in the womb through the placenta. This is where we need to be most concerned. |
| Through sexual relations | The Zika virus can persist in bodily fluids, such as semen, for weeks or even months after symptoms have resolved. Therefore, it can be transmitted from one person to another through unprotected sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal). |
| Through blood transfusion | This is extremely rare. Although it has been reported in several countries around the world, it is not something that is commonly seen. |
A little more about sexual transmission
This may seem a bit new. Yes, it's unusual for a mosquito-borne virus to be sexually transmitted. But it's been proven that Zika is. Whether you have symptoms or not, if you've been to an area where Zika is common, the safest thing to do is to use a condom when having sex or abstain from sex for 3 months after you return .
What happens if a pregnant mother gets Zika? - Why we should be afraid
If a normal person gets Zika, it's not a big problem. But if a pregnant mother gets it, the damage it can cause is not insignificant. If the virus crosses the placenta and infects the baby, it can disrupt the baby's development, especially brain development .
These are some of the complications that this condition can cause in a child:
- Microcephaly: This is when a child's head and brain grow smaller than normal . This can seriously affect the child's intellectual development and physical activity.
- Congenital Zika syndrome: This is a collection of symptoms that are present at birth. For example, it can include severe microcephaly, skull abnormalities, reduced brain tissue, eye damage, and joint problems.
- Other brain abnormalities: Conditions such as the brain's folds not forming properly, brain structures disappearing, and fluid accumulation in the brain (hydrocephalus) can occur.
- Vision and hearing impairments: The child may have vision or hearing problems.
- Low birth weight: The baby may be born with less than normal weight.
Importantly, not every pregnant woman infected with Zika will have a baby with these conditions. Statistically, only about one in 20 (5%) babies born to infected mothers will have these birth defects. But the risk cannot be underestimated.
Diagnosis and treatment of Zika disease
If you have recently traveled to a country with Zika virus and have symptoms such as fever and body aches, see your doctor. He or she will ask about your travel history and symptoms and refer you for tests if necessary.
- Detection: A blood test or urine test can be done to determine if you have the Zika virus.
- Treatment: There is no specific medicine yet to cure the Zika virus. There is also no vaccine. All that can be done is to treat the symptoms.
- For fever and pain: You can take a medicine like Paracetamol.
- Things to avoid: Do not take medications like aspirin or NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) without your doctor's approval. Because these symptoms are similar to dengue, taking these medications during a dengue fever situation can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Rest and fluids: It is very important to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as water and fruit drinks.
How to protect yourself from the Zika virus?
Since there is no cure for this, the best thing to do is to prevent the disease from developing. There are a few things we can do to do that.
| Prevention methods | |
|---|---|
| Protection from mosquitoes |
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| Special instructions for pregnant mothers |
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| For those expecting children |
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If you have any further questions about this, especially if you are pregnant or expecting a baby, be sure to talk to your doctor for advice .
Take-Home Message
- Zika is a viral disease transmitted by the same mosquitoes that spread dengue.
- Many people do not show symptoms. If they do, they are usually mild, such as fever and body aches.
- The biggest risk is to a pregnant mother . It can cause serious damage to the brain development of the unborn child.
- The Zika virus can be transmitted not only by mosquitoes, but also through sexual contact .
- Since there is no specific treatment for this, the most important thing is to protect yourself from mosquitoes and practice safe sex.
- If you are pregnant or expecting a baby, avoid traveling to areas where Zika is common. If in doubt, contact your doctor immediately.
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