The Zika Virus is an illness relatively unheard of until this year, and has been spreading quickly in areas like Central America. It hasn't been heard about mainly because the only previous cases in the US were deemed viruses that were not named at the time. Basically, United States doctors knew the past cases might have been from a mosquito, but didn't know much else about it because the patients affected acquired the virus in a different country.

Zika is transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquitos and was first discovered in Uganda in the mid-1900s. It has been estimated that Zika came to Central America about a year ago, infecting just over 1 million people since then. Scientists say that if a person is infected with the virus and bitten by a different type of mosquito, that other mosquito may be able to pick up the virus and transmit it to other people as well (CNN).

So, how detrimental is the Zika virus to a person's health?

There are some symptoms associated with the virus, but many people don't even notice that have it. Also, the symptoms experienced may not be very severe. Some of these symptoms include: rash, fever, joint pain, fatigue, eye redness, or sometimes vomiting. These symptoms usually only last for about 1-2 weeks but they are an issue because they are often mistaken for other viruses or illnesses, which leads to the next piece of important information about Zika.

If you are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, you should try to avoid traveling to areas where the virus is most prevalent. There have been recent births in the area of Brazil resulting in a birth defect called microcephaly. Researchers believe that this is due to the recent outbreak of Zika in Brazil, but it has not been absolutely proven that it is the direct cause, as there are other causes for this birth defect. There are other issues that can come from the Zika virus and transmit to the fetus, such as eye issues, hearing loss, and impaired growth (cdc.gov). Microcephaly is characterized by a smaller size of the baby's head, probably due to impaired brain development. Babies with this defect can also experience other problems like seizures, feeding problems, balance issues, intellectual disabilities, and more. This is not the case with every pregnant women infected, but it has shown up in some. If you are pregnant, detecting the symptoms of Zika may be even more difficult because some of some symptom overlap, so it is important to be aware of changes in your body, especially if you have been bitten. If you are a male, the Zika virus can be spread to sexual partners.

If you think you might have the Zika virus, it is important to tell your doctor where you have traveled. This information could be crucial to diagnosis and treatment. Possible treatment for Zika is similar to that of other viruses and includes: getting a lot of rest, staying hydrated, and taking fever-reducing medicines like Tylenol if necessary.

What can you do to prevent getting infected?

There is not that much you can do except not traveling to areas in Central America and some parts of Africa, and wearing bug spray. Zika is expected to spread to the United States, especially in the summer months, but during colder months it should not be as much of a problem. This map shows the potential risk in the US:

It is important not to panic about the Zika virus, but it is important to be aware of your body and your surroundings and taking precautions to avoid getting bitten, as mosquitos can spread other infections. Again, about 80% of people usually show no symptoms at all after being infected, so Zika may not be as serious to the general public as the media is making it seem. If you are pregnant however, be sure to take extra precautions against mosquitos this year.