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Understanding Zika

Zika is a virus. It is spread by mosquitoes. It was first discovered in the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. For many decades, it was thought to be a rare cause of infection. It was found only in small areas of Africa, the Yap Islands in the Pacific, and Easter Island in Chile. But in April 2015, it was found in Brazil. It has since spread quickly to many countries in South America and Central America, and to the Caribbean and Mexico.

A number of cases have also been found in the U.S. Most of these people got the virus while visiting other parts of the world where mosquitoes are spreading it. Rarely, the virus has been spread by mosquitoes in the U.S.

What causes Zika?

The Zika virus is mostly passed on by the bite of the mosquito species Aedes. Pregnant women who have it can also give it to their unborn child. It may also be spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.

Symptoms of Zika

Most people infected with the Zika virus have no symptoms. About 1 out of 5 people have mild symptoms that last 5 to 7 days and then go away completely. Symptoms may include:

Fever
Rash
Headache
Joint and muscle pain
Conjunctivitis, when the eyes become red, irritated, and inflamed

Treatment for Zika

There is no specific treatment for the Zika virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms. It includes:

Rest. You may feel better sooner if you get plenty of rest.
Fluids. Drinking lots of fluids will help you stay hydrated. Water and sports drinks are good choices. Don’t have alcohol or drinks with caffeine.
Medicine. Acetaminophen can help ease fever and pain. Do not take aspirin, products with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also important not to give aspirin products to children 19 years or younger with a viral infection because this may result in Reye's syndrome. This can cause brain or liver damage.

Possible complications of Zika

Congenital malformations in newborns. Pregnant women who are infected with Zika can pass it on to their unborn child. This is true even if the woman has no symptoms. These children may be born with microcephaly. This birth defect causes a smaller than normal head and a less developed brain. It can lead to developmental problems, learning disabilities, and neurological problems.
Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is mainly seen in adults and older children. It is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its nerves. This disease causes severe muscle weakness or paralysis.

When to call your healthcare provider

Possible signs of Zika in pregnant women need to be reported right away to the healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider or seek medical care right away if you have any of these: