Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that spreads from a mosquito chew. Know all about its signs, prevention and therapy.The monsoon season is again, and so is Zika virus! As many as six folks, together with two pregnant girls, have been reportedly affected by this mosquito-borne an infection, in Pune. Zika virus can pose a number of well being dangers for a affected person, and in pregnant girls particularly, it might have an effect on the mom and the foetus too. Right here’s every part it’s good to know in regards to the Zika virus and how one can stop it.What’s Zika virus?The Zika virus, which was first found in Uganda in 1947, is assessed by the World Well being Organisation (WHO) as a vector-borne sickness that spreads from a chew of an contaminated Aedes mosquito. The title of this life-threatening virus comes from the Ziika forest in Uganda, the place it was first detected. It spreads equally to chikungunya and dengue. It’s attributable to an organism that makes a number of copies utilizing your cells. Most individuals, contaminated with it, present delicate signs. Moreover, sexual contact and organ transplantation are two methods through which the illness can unfold from a pregnant mom to the creating foetus.To this point, there isn’t any vaccine accessible to stop or deal with Zika, and one of the simplest ways to safeguard your self is by stopping your self towards mosquito bites. Zika virus is a vector-borne sickness. Picture Courtesy: Adobe stockSymptoms of Zika virusPeople contaminated with this virus might not present any signs in any respect. In accordance with the US Facilities for Illness Prevention and Management (CDC), the most typical signs of the Zika virus embrace: Joint ache Conjunctivitis or pink eyes Headache Fever Rash Ache within the musclesSymptoms of the an infection might final for a number of days to per week. Folks don’t get sick sufficient to go to the hospital as many wouldn’t notice that they’ve been contaminated.Additionally ReadAre there any problems of Zika virus?Instances of Zika virus are usually delicate and are unusual. It will possibly trigger critical delivery defects throughout being pregnant, as per CDC. It could even result in Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is a situation that impacts an individual’s immunity and causes muscle weak spot or paralysis. Folks usually get well from Zika virus in a while, and doesn’t result in everlasting injury.In uncommon circumstances, it might trigger extreme illness affecting the mind, inflicting swelling of the mind (encephalitis), tissues across the mind (meningitis), and spinal wire (myelitis).DiagnosisYour healthcare supplier will ask you when you have traveled to a spot with a present or previous Zika virus outbreak. They may even verify any signs you might be experiencing. They may ask when the signs of the an infection started as they’ll resemble different viral infections and may result in issues.Within the case of pregnant girls who could also be exhibiting signs, your physician will do an ultrasound to verify for abnormalities and different potentialities of transmission. Whereas new checks are required, some blood, urine, and saliva checks will help verify Zika.TreatmentWhile there isn’t any particular therapy for Zika virus an infection, it is suggested that folks contaminated with the illness get loads of relaxation, drink fluids, and use antipyretics and/or analgesics to alleviate their signs. In case signs worsen, it’s critical to get a direct medical check-up for laboratory checks and correct care.Choose Subjects of your curiosity and allow us to customise your feed. PERSONALISE NOWHow to stop Zika virus?1. Use a mosquito repellent that incorporates a minimum of 10 % focus of DEET (chemical title, N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide).2. Put on long-sleeved shorts and pants, particularly through the morning or night when there are greater probabilities of getting bitten by a mosquito.3. Use mattress nets if you’re dwelling in an space with numerous mosquitoes.4. Eliminate any stagnant water round your home to manage breeding websites for mosquitoes.5. It may be transmitted sexually, so it is very important apply protected intercourse through the use of condoms.6. Keep up to date on journey advisories and warnings associated to the Zika virus.7. Keep away from touching an contaminated particular person. Additionally, keep away from touching an contaminated particular person’s blood or bodily fluids like their vomit or urine.8. Pregnant girls needs to be extra vigilant and will get common checkups to keep away from delivery problems in kids.How does Zika virus have an effect on pregnant girls?Out of the six individuals who have been contaminated with Zika virus in Pune, two pregnant girls have additionally examined optimistic. Zika virus is a extreme an infection that may be considerably dangerous to pregnant girls. It poses a major danger of assorted well being problems for pregnant girls and the foetus, Dr Padma Srivastava, Guide Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals.Probably the most extreme dangers of the Zika virus is microcephaly. It’s a critical situation, the place the infant is born with irregular delivery defects like a small head and mind. This may doubtlessly trigger a delay within the total growth of the infant and result in mental disabilities. It will possibly additionally result in different delivery defects like mind injury, extreme points with imaginative and prescient, and joint issues. Zika an infection can have an effect on the placenta which may result in problems like inadequate oxygen and nutrient provide to the fetus. Zika virus might be harmful for pregnant girls. Picture courtesy: Adobe StockZika virus prevention ideas for pregnant womenThis is why it turns into important for pregnant girls to take the required steps to attenuate the chance of Zika throughout being pregnant: Pregnant girls are suggested to put on applicable clothes which may defend them from getting uncovered to contaminated mosquitoes. Ensure that to use mosquito repellents in your garments earlier than stepping out of your house. Select mosquito repellents with efficient components like DEET, picaridin, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil for higher safety. Keep away from going outside if not crucial to scale back the chance of creating Zika virus.Instantly seek the advice of your physician if you happen to begin to expertise signs like conjunctivitis the place your eyes change into swollen and pink, delicate to extreme fever, rashes, persistent headache, and muscle and joint ache. Don’t neglect or attempt to deal with these signs with residence cures as they’ll solely worsen your situation, recommends Dr Srivastava.Regularly requested questions1. How lengthy does Zika virus an infection final?Zika virus can result in the event of a maculopapular rash which often provides by itself inside 1 to 4 days after it begins.2. When does Zika virus have an effect on being pregnant?It will possibly have an effect on being pregnant at any stage of the being pregnant. Nonetheless, you may be at a better danger through the first trimester in comparison with the second and third trimester.3. Is there a vaccine for Zika?At present, there isn’t any clinically permitted vaccine or drug accessible to combat the an infection. Nonetheless, a vaccine is below medical trial which acquired its first FDA approval in 2016, adopted by a phase-2 approval in March 2017.