{"id":5632,"date":"2019-04-15T08:27:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T08:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5632"},"modified":"2021-03-30T20:42:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T20:42:43","slug":"14-warning-facts-about-zika-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-warning-facts-about-zika-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Warning Facts About Zika Virus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When traveling to and within a country or area where the infection is likely, people are always encouraged to follow basic mosquito repellent advice, whilst ensuring that their arms and legs are covered in loose-fitting clothing and coated in potent insect repellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zika is a disease that is mainly spread by mosquitoes and contracted by humans from mosquito bites. Quite often a mild infection, pregnant women are however well-advised to be extremely cautious as there is ample evidence to suggest that infection Zika virus causes terrible birth defects if the fetus contracts the disease in the womb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collated here is a selection of facts to do with the Zika virus, intended to shed a little light on some frequently asked questions and spread information regarding this potentially extremely dangerous virus. All information is given in good faith and obtained from a wide range of sources including the World Health Organization and several aid charities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Spread by mosquitoes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first fact to mention seems like the most obvious, but it\u2019s worth highlighting to avoid any lingering confusion. The Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes, making it a mosquito-borne disease. People are infected <\/a>after being bitten by a mosquito that is carrying the virus. Not all mosquitoes carry the Zika virus, however many mosquitoes carry all sorts of different viruses, depending on where they are found in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaria is probably the most well-known mosquito-borne disease, however, in recent years, the spotlight has shone on Zika due to the devastating effects it has had upon communities, both rural and urban, in certain countries in South and Central America. Mosquitoes are creatures that love to live near water bodies, both natural and man-made, meaning that one of the first strategies for prevention is to remove any water bodies were mosquitoes may breed and spread. This is a lot easier said than done, however, as mosquitoes can make use of even tiny accumulations of rainwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.     Birth defects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The birth defects of children born in South and Central America over the last 5 years are the reason behind the recent media coverage of Zika. The defects, which typically affect the baby\u2019s head and brain development are really distressing to see in photographs and in news items, however, the reality is that infection of pregnant women in the United  States and other developed countries is unlikely due to a number of reasons, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is little consolation for pregnant women in Zika <\/a>areas, nor is it compensation for the mothers of deformed children, who were either unaware of the threat, or unable to protect themselves against it. The prevalence of Zika caused birth defects in poorer communities is considerably higher than that in well off communities, perhaps indicative of the imbalances of social and medical care, or maybe just a matter of geography. Either way, the birth defects of Zika are undeniably harrowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.     Travel advice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the most recent Zika outbreak in South and Central America, travel advice was very much based around lines such as \u2018avoid all but essential travel\u2019, with pregnant women, or indeed women who might have been pregnant, advised to stay away from these areas and countries altogether. The countries affected were put in a difficult position, knowing that trade and tourism would be likely affected, but still with a wide-reaching duty of care to anyone who was maybe planning to visit their country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the headlines have disappeared and the next news item has replaced the Zika scare stories, for the people living in these affected areas, the story remains the same. With that in mind, so too should the travel advice, regardless of the impact this could potentially have on a country\u2019s economy. All but essential travel should be avoided, with pregnant <\/a>women avoiding Zika areas altogether. It simply isn\u2019t worth the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.     Affected areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Zika outbreaks <\/a>were not limited to South and Central America, with outbreaks also reported in the Pacific region, the Caribbean, Africa and certain parts of south and southeast Asia. Countries, where Zika outbreaks have been confirmed, are listed in A to Z order here. These are countries and areas where active Zika transmission from mosquitoes to humans has been confirmed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The countries include Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei. Burma, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica. Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and Vietnam. As the list suggests, this is a problem that affects the whole world, not just south and central America as recent coverage might suggest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.     Insect repellant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The advice on insect repellant <\/a>is the exact opposite that one would expect to use when applying aftershave or perfume. In those cases, less is more, whereas with insect repellant and Zika carrying mosquitoes, too much is never enough. Any exposed areas need to be coated in the stuff, particularly the arms and legs, hands and feet. It is advised that it is reapplied regularly, as often s sun cream is a good measure, and that it must also be reapplied after bathing or swimming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The repellant can be applied liberally and in good faith that it actually will help keep the wearer safe from Zika carrying mosquitoes. In Zika affected areas, like those in the comprehensive list above, there is no such thing as too much. Apply the repellant to children as much as they will tolerate, also. For pregnant women, the advice is still to remove yourself from a situation where you may be subject to infection, even if that means remaining indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.     Loose clothing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Loose-fitting clothing is also an advisory note for travelers and residents of Zika affected areas and countries. This is to allow for the insect repellant to remain on the skin but also to allow the person the opportunity to let the skin breathe. One of the main attractors towards humans for mosquitoes is sweat, and so any measure to reduce secretion from the sweat glands, such as wearing loose or even baggy clothing, is going to help the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One potential worry with wearing baggy clothing is perhaps that the mosquitoes <\/a>would be able to access the body far more easily than through tight-fitting clothing. Whilst this is true, the allure of human sweat is what attracts the mosquitoes, as opposed to fashion sense and clothes fitting. A good compromise would be loose-fitting clothing with tight hems. This would potentially make for an ideal mosquito avoidance clothing choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.     Sleeping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping <\/a>in Ziika affected areas can be a huge worry for lots of people, especially local people who may not be able to afford the types of housing that could help keep mosquitoes at bay. Generally, sleeping with doors and windows closed, with at least one mosquito net and a nighttime coating of insect repellant should be enough, however, for those that live near large bodies of water and large mosquito populations, this may still not be enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large hotels and more wealthy areas are able to keep mosquitoes out with their window designs but for poorer people with worse off facilities, the stress of being bitten at night time can be enough to seriously disturb sleeping patterns. The paranoia that a Zika infected mosquito might steal in at any moment can lead to several nights of little to no sleep. Charities in poorer countries are working to find solutions that give everyone an answer to the problem. Until then, many people may need to sleep with one eye open, if they\u2019re to effectively dodge the threat of Zika.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.     What to do if you\u2019re worried<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Without question, the best plan of action for absolutely anyone who is worried that they might have contracted Zika is to contact medical professionals or aid workers at the earliest possible opportunity. This advice is especially pertinent but in no means exclusive to pregnant women. The trauma <\/a>of a full-term pregnancy can be made all the more traumatic with the worry that the child could potentially be born with birth defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If caught early, treatments are available and terminations remain an option. For other people who are not pregnant, Zika can still turn into a pretty unpleasant illness, which can in rare cases prove to be extremely serious. There is no variation in the message for what to do if you\u2019re worried, whoever you are. Help and advice should be sought at the earliest opportunity. Living with the looming doubt and the nagging dread is just not worth it for anybody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Early Morning Prevention Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Zika virus does not transmit through human-to-human contact, and the only means of contracting it is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Therefore, it makes good sense to follow preventative measures to stop being bitten by mosquitoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re traveling to a high-risk zone for the virus<\/a>, then it’s best that you follow preventative strategies to avoid mosquito bites during the hours of the day when the insects are most active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The early morning is one of the prime feeding times for mosquitoes. These insects love the low-light conditions of the early morning, as it provides them with cover, allowing them to land on your skin without you noticing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mosquitos like to congregate around the underside of toilet bowls, waiting for their victims to sit down so they can attack the legs. Take some insect spray into the bathroom with you and spray under the toilet to kill the mosquitoes before you start your morning.
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10. Evening Prevention Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mosquitoes are also very active in the early evening and throughout the night. Protect yourself by wearing clothing with long sleeves and pant legs to prevent bites. If you’re sitting outside on the veranda, you’ll find that mosquitoes like to stay low to the ground and bite your legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place a citronella <\/a>candle on the ground around where your sitting. Mosquitos can’t stand the scent of citronella, and they’ll leave your legs alone. Sleep with a mosquito net above your bed, or use a mosquito destroyer that burns a pad through the night to kill off invading mosquitos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re in the mood to have a few drinks during the evening, we recommend you think about a refreshing gin and tonic. Tonic water contains quinine, a natural ingredient that keeps mosquitoes away. Drinking two or three cans of tonic water a day makes you taste terrible to the mosquitoes, and they won’t even bother landing on your skin.
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11. Mild Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients infected with the Zika virus may notice that they only develop very mild symptoms of infection. The virus affects children more than it does with adults, with kids complaining of symptoms of fever and muscle ache more than adults \u2013 this is because kids do not yet have the same immune response as adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, adults with robust immune systems<\/a> may barely notice any symptoms of the virus at all. Some adults may also confuse infection with Zika with the common cold or a sinus problem. While this may sound like good news for adults that are afraid of coming down with severe symptoms, it may be dangerous in other situations.
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Pregnant women infected with Zika may not notice any symptoms and fail to receive treatment for the disease. As a result, they may develop problems with their pregnancy that could affect the development of the fetus, and at childbirth.
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12. Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As briefly mentioned above, pregnant women infected with the Zika virus run the risk of developing complications with their pregnancy. The Zika virus can cause microcephaly in unborn children. Microcephaly <\/a>affects the cranial development of the head, and as a result, the child is often born with an undersized head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The child may also experience cognition issues later in life, as well as brain damage during childbirth. Infection with the Zika virus in pregnant mothers can also result in higher rates of infant mortality, stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Zika virus infection may also cause the development of Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome in the infant, along with other conditions affecting the nervous system, such as myelitis and neuropathy, particularly in older adults and teenagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women traveling to high-risk zones for the virus should consult with their doctor about the risks before making any travel plans, especially if you are in the final trimester of the pregnancy.
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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a set of risk factors that make some individuals at higher risk of coming in contact with the Zika virus than others. Review the list below, and if you find that you are in any of the high-risk categories mentioned, speak to your medical professional about strategies you can use to avoid and detect infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling to high-risk zones in South and Central America where the virus is present puts you at risk of infection. If you must go to these areas, pay attention to the prevention tips mentioned in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying outside in the early morning and night exposes you to the risk of mosquito bites.
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sleeping without a mosquito net in a high-risk area, or failure to dress inappropriately puts you at high risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women are at high risk of developing complications with their pregnancy <\/a>and the unborn child.
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14. Treatment Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infection with the Zika virus only occurs through the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no known human-to-human transmissions of Zika. As a result, the only way to test for the Zika virus is by analyzing the blood and urine samples of infected individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Zika is not an immediately life-threatening disease, unless the patient is pregnant, the patient may not receive priority status in the testing of their samples, resulting in the virus clearing before they receive the results of the tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, there is no treatment or vaccine <\/a>available for the Zika virus. Doctors treat patients using supportive care, where they handle the patient’s symptoms as they arrive. Patients may need bed rest and fluids to recover, and the virus typically passes anywhere between a week to two weeks depending on the health of the patients’ immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients experiencing symptoms of pain and discomfort can benefit from the use of OTC medications to manage their situation.
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