A relatively new disease in the country has been taking more and more space in Brazilian news. Zika, which probably arrived in our territory at the 2014 World Cup, has been linked to a form of paralysis and cases of microcephaly. Will we learn more about this disease?
→ What is Zika?
Zika, also called Zika fever, is a viral disease transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, like the THE. albopictus it's the THE. aegypti. The latter is already well known by Brazilians, as it also transmits the dengue and the chikungunya.
In addition to mosquito bites, other possible ways to get Zika are unprotected sex and mother-to-child transmission. There are still studies suggesting that the disease can be passed on to other people through saliva, but there has been no confirmation yet.
→ Is Zika a new disease?
Although the first case in Brazil was only officially registered in 2015, Zika is not such a new disease. The causative virus was discovered in 1947 in studies of monkeys that lived in the Zika forest in Africa. In humans, the disease was observed from the 1960s onwards, and the first major outbreak was recorded in 2007, in Micronesia.
→ What are the signs and symptoms of Zika?
Zika is a disease very similar to dengue and chikungunya, however, it has the mildest symptoms. Usually the patient presents with moderate fever, headache, mild joint pain, cough, sore throat, vomiting, redness in the eyes, itching and red spots on the skin. Symptoms usually disappear between three and seven days and severe cases are relatively rare, but they can occur.
→ What is microcephaly and how is it related to Zika?
Zika is related to microcephaly
Microcephaly is a malformation in which the newborn has a smaller head circumference than normal (less than 32 cm). This malformation can cause, for example, mental retardation, which compromises the child's development.
Zika is related to microcephaly, although the problem is also caused by bacteria, radiation, and even chemicals. Given the confirmation of the relationship between Zika and microcephaly, attention is needed by pregnant women to try to avoid mosquito bites.
→ Can Zika Virus Cause Other Problems?
In addition to microcephaly, Zika virus can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome. This syndrome can cause muscle weakness, paralysis of some muscles and, in more severe cases, compromise the respiratory muscles. It is worth noting that the syndrome is quite rare.
→ Is there treatment for Zika?
Like dengue, Zika has no specific treatment, only symptom control is recommended. To control pain and fever, it is recommended to use paracetamol or dipyrone and, for itching, antihistamines. To avoid complications, acetylsalicylic acid should not be used.
→ How can we stop the spread of Zika?
As Zika is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, it is essential to control the mosquito population. For this, it is essential never to leave standing water, always checking potted plants, gutters, tires and other containers that can become breeding grounds for the mosquito. If everyone does their part, we can win this fight!
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
