This past week, the news has been blowing up with information about the Zika Virus. People are mainly concerned about the virus because it is being linked to birth defects in newborns. These defects can include small heads and brain damage in newborns. It tends to be difficult to follow some of the information that is given to us on the news because of the medical terminology, so I'm going to be breaking down some of the general information so it can be slightly easier to understand.
It is important to understand that the Zika Virus is not a new virus. It was first discovered in 1947 but it did not start making the news until recently. Information did not really begin spreading until an outbreak in Brazil occurred in May of last year. At this point, it has spread to multiple countries in South and Central America, the Caribbean and there are some reported cases in North America. For a full, constantly updated list of where the virus has spread, please refer to this website: The CDC's Travelers Health Site.
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The Zika Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected when it has bitten someone who already has the virus and then it can infect more people through bites. It is also transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby, as of right now, it is not known how a mother transmits the virus to her baby. Right now, there are no reports of women transferring the virus to their babies because of breastfeeding, so breastfeeding is still being strongly encouraged by the CDC in areas where the virus is found.
1 in 5 people infected with the Zika Virus will get sick. For the people who do get sick, it is usually very mild, so many people might not even know they are infected. The symptoms for the virus last for approximately a week. These symptoms can include one or all of the following: fever, rash, joint pain or red eyes. If you have recently traveled to any infected countries and you begin to develop any of those symptoms, speak with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may require you to take blood tests to look for the Zika Virus or any similar viral diseases.
There currently are not any vaccines or medicines to treat the Zika Virus. The CDC recommends the following to help with the symptoms: getting rest, drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, take medicine to reduce fever or pain, however, do not take any aspirin or any non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs. If you are required to take any medication for any other medical conditions, the CDC urges you to speak to your health care provider before taking any additional medication.
For more information on the Zika Virus please visit the following websites and remember to look for updated information from reputable news outlets.
Zika Virus Info Index (Center for Disease Control)
Where Zika is located (Center for Disease Control)
Zika Virus FAQ (Center for Disease Control)
