Zika Disease - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

Birth defects are caused by the Zika virus, in babies who are born to few infected women in their pregnancy like microcephaly. Micro cephalic babies have brain damage and underdeveloped heads. Guillain Barre Syndrome has been linked with Zika. The immune system starts attacking the nerves in this condition. Mosquitoes are the main agents which spread the Zika virus. Few instances have been reported where the virus has been sexually transmitted. Urine, semen, saliva and blood can also transmit the virus in addition to the eye fluid. One out of 5 people show the symptoms. Most people don’t have any manifestation of the symptoms. After being bitten by an infected mosquito, the symptoms might show up within 14 days. They might last for few weeks.

A doctor must be consulted if there are any symptoms or if you have been to any place with incidences of Zika. This is necessary especially if you are pregnant. The virus is believed to make the immune system resistant to future infections. Treatment for Zika hasn’t been found yet, but if there are any symptoms, then nonprescription medicines for pains and aches are available. Adequate rest, lots of liquid intake to avoid dehydration and acetaminophen for pain and fever are necessary for an infected person. Aspirin and other such pain killers should be avoided till the time dengue has been ruled out.Zika doesn’t have a vaccine till date, even though human trials have begun for an effective vaccine. Zika can be tested in two ways. One of these looks for parts of the genetic code in the virus in those who have an active infection. The drawback is when the body is done with the infection, the test doesn’t work. The other test detects antibodies (immune proteins) to fightback the virus. The antibodies can be detected till 3 months even after the person has been infected. This test’s drawback is that it isn’t very accurate or specific to Zika virus. It might indicate that a person may have Zika, if there are other infections by viruses like chikungunya and dengue.

Guillain Barre Syndrome has also been linked to Zika in few rare instances. It might result in complete or partial paralysis, which generally starts in the legs and is usually temporary.