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Imagine you are planning a dream vacation to a tropical paradise, excited to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. As you research your destination, your excitement turns into concern as you come across a travel advisory warning about the Zika virus. You begin to wonder what exactly is Zika, and how could it impact your trip and health? This situation is all too real for many travellers and residents in certain parts of the world, where Zika remains a significant health concern.
Read our blog to gain in-depth knowledge on zika virus, its origin, prevalence, how it is transmitted, the symptoms, its diagnoses, effects, impact on pregnant women and their foetus, and the importance of medical consultation.
Zika virus or Zika fever is a disease one gets from certain types of mosquitoes, namely, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Zika is caused by a virus, an organism that uses the cells of the body to make more copies of itself. Many people don’t know they have it or may have very mild symptoms. If a person who’s pregnant gets infected, the virus can prevent the foetus’s brain from developing properly. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos are found in many parts of the world. There have been outbreaks in the Americas, the Caribbean and parts of Africa and Asia.
Zika virus was first isolated in 1947 from a rhesus monkey in the Zika forest of Uganda. Subsequently, the virus was found in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. Zika virus has been circulating in Africa and Asia since the 1950s. It was relatively unnoticed as the symptoms of the virus were mild in most cases. Nonetheless, a series of significant outbreaks in recent years brought Zika virus into the global spotlight. In 2007, the first large outbreak of Zika disease occurred on the Pacific Island of Yap. Between 2013-2014, there was a major outbreak in French Polynesia that raised the concerns about the virus due to an increased number of cases. Later in 2015-2016 there was an outbreak in Brazil which was particularly notable due to the increase in cases of microcephaly.
There are various modes of transmission of Zika virus including:
Only about 1 in 5 people with Zika have symptoms. The symptoms include:
A healthcare provider diagnoses Zika by looking for signs of the virus in the blood or pee (urine). The provider will usually only test for Zika if you have been to a place with risk for Zika and you have symptoms.
For most people, Zika is a short-lived illness with no lasting effects. However, in some cases, Zika has been linked to more severe health issues, including:
Some severe consequences of Zika virus can occur in pregnant women and their foetuses. A Zika infection during pregnancy might lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe birth defects which is known as Congenital Zika Syndrome. This syndrome can result in lifelong disabilities, significantly impacting the child’s quality of life and placing a considerable burden on families and healthcare systems.
Given the potential complications associated with Zika, especially for pregnant women, it is crucial to seek medical consultation if you suspect you have been exposed to the virus. Easily book an appointment through Cellmaflex and get an early diagnosis while monitoring your condition. This helps manage symptoms and reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
Ways to reduce your risk of getting or spreading a Zika infection include:
Cellmaflex is an all-in-one healthcare hub. Patients can sign up on Cellmaflex for free. Through Cellmaflex, they can search the directory to find the right specialist in a few clicks. Patients can easily view the doctors’ calendars and check their availability. With Cellmaflex, patients can book appointments with desired doctors with ease and receive appointment reminders.
Patients can receive their test results directly and access their and health records anytime, anywhere. They can also order prescriptions by locating pharmacies on Cellmaflex and making secure online payments.
Awareness and education about the virus, its symptoms, and its risks, especially for pregnant women, is important to preventing its spread and minimizing its impact. The more we understand about Zika and its effects, the better equipped we are to protect ourselves and future generations from its potentially devastating consequences.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information is strictly for informative purposes. It is not intended to be used in lieu of professional medical advice, inclusive of diagnosis or treatment. It is strongly advised that you seek a doctor’s medical advice on any treatment or medical condition that you learn about.
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Currently, there is no cure for zika or the complications that it causes. People with mild symptoms, mostly recover on their own.
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ISO 9001 | ISO 14001 | ISO 27001 | Cyber Essentials