THE zika, zika fever or Zika virus disease is a disease caused by a virus in the same family as dengue.
It is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is also responsible for the transmission of dengue and chikungunya in Brazil.
The virus was first identified in Brazil in 2015. In 2018, there were 5,941 probable cases of Zika in Brazil, 41% of which were confirmed.
In addition, the Ministry of Health warned of the risk of Zika and Chikungunya outbreaks in the year 2019.
Zika Streaming Modes
The main means of transmission is by mosquito bites Aedes aegypti, the same vector for dengue and chikungunya. This mosquito has lived in Brazil since the late nineteenth century and is very well adapted, which facilitates its proliferation.
There are some proven cases of sexual transmission. This is because the virus can remain in the semen and vaginal fluids of infected people even without symptoms. However, it is not known for how long it can be transmitted in this way.
There have also been reports in the scientific literature of virus transmission in other secretions such as blood, urine and saliva. Thus, the virus could be transmitted through blood transfusions or through contaminated objects such as cutlery and glasses used by someone who has the virus active in their body.
Zika Symptoms
After being infected by the virus, the incubation period is short. Between two days to a week after being bitten by the mosquito, the person may show the first signs such as fever and red spots on the body.
The symptoms of Zika are similar to other diseases such as dengue, although lighter. However, in most cases there are no symptoms, but when present the main ones are:
- Moderate fever;
- Constant headache;
- Intense itching (itching) in the body;
- Red spots on the body, especially on the arms, legs and abdomen;
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva that causes redness and tenderness in the eyes);
- Pains in the body and joints, especially in the hands and feet;
- Tiredness and malaise.
The relationship between Zika and Microcephaly
In most people the disease has mild symptoms and no serious complications, but there are exceptions for some cases of patients who manifested Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes paralysis brain.
The greatest risk of complications exists for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. The relationship between the virus and microcephaly in newborns was discovered, which would be a congenital problem, that is, if the mother is infected by the virus, it passes through the placenta to the baby.
It is an unprecedented fact in the world and therefore still needs further investigation. As far as studies have progressed, the virus seems to have great destructive power in the nervous system, which is why it is so dangerous for babies with a developing brain.
What is microcephaly?
Microcephaly is characterized by a reduction in head size (cranial bones close prematurely, preventing normal brain development) and affects motor and cognitive development, often causing delay mental.
The causes of microcephaly can be genetic, or caused by several factors, including infections during pregnancy that affect the formation of the central nervous system.
Numerous cases have been confirmed and others remain under investigation in several Brazilian municipalities. The highest prevalence of cases is in the states of the Northeast region (with more cases in Pernambuco) and in the Southeast.
Newborns with confirmed microcephaly had the Zika virus genome detected in their blood, confirming the relationship.
How to prevent Zika?
The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid being bitten by the transmitting mosquito. For this, people in places where there is a higher incidence of the mosquito should take the following precautions:
- Prevent the proliferation of the mosquito, putting an end to all sources of transmission (places with clean water and available food, necessary for it to reproduce);
- Keep windows and doors closed or protected with mosquito nets;
- Use repellents with DEET and icaridin substances that are proven to be effective against mosquitoes and not harmful to pregnant women in adequate concentrations;
- Wear light clothing to protect your body from bites (pants and long-sleeved shirt);
- Sleeping on mosquito nets to avoid bites;
- Use of condoms to prevent sexual transmission;
- Do not share objects such as cutlery and glasses.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Zika
As soon as the person develops any symptoms, he or she should seek medical advice immediately to make the diagnosis.
Generally, the diagnosis is made only through the observation of symptoms, as it is a recent disease and still little known, there are no specific tests available in the health system to detect the presence of the virus in the body.
The results of serological tests can be confused with other diseases such as dengue. The most efficient diagnostic method is through PCR, performed only in special cases in reference and investigation centers in some Brazilian cities.
There is no specific antiviral for the treatment of the disease, only rest and fluid intake are indicated.
In cases of pain and fever, common analgesics and antipyretics are recommended, but medications that contain salicylic acid should be avoided, as they can cause complications such as bleeding.
Zika's spread history
Zika virus was first identified in Uganda, an African country, in 1947. It was detected in monkeys rhesus in the Zika Forest and hence it was named.
Initially, it was considered endemic to Africa, being detected in human serological tests from 1951 onwards. However, around the 1960s the virus was also detected in people from Asian countries and Oceania.
And later, there were sporadic cases in countries like Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, United States, Australia, probably taken by contaminated travelers. Easter Island in Chile was the first recorded in the Americas.
It is believed that the Zika virus arrived in Brazil brought by tourists in 2014 during the World Cup games. Other studies suggest that the virus was introduced into the country from Haiti in late 2013. The first case was confirmed in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in 2015.
Zika Video
Learn more about Zika by watching the video below:
