Mosquito-borne Diseases March 8, 2018

Zika Virus: Symptoms, Facts And Prevention

Like dengue and chikungunya were not enough, the world was introduced to yet another virus called ‘Zika’. After a major outbreak in Brazil in the year 2015, this virus is spreading rapidly in other countries too. However, it’s not as new as we think it is. It was first detected in Uganda in the year 1947. Like the other two viruses, Zika too is caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Mosquito control has always been poor in India, leading to an increase of this species now than what it was in the previous decade. It is a major concern at the moment as there is no vaccine for Zika and hence the possibility for it to be cured at human level is nil.

Few facts:

• It is said that Zika virus during pregnancy can cause defects during birth. The virus can obstruct oxygen supply to the pregnant women’s placenta, which can lead to the baby being stillborn or can lead to other birth defects like blindness, deafness, seizures, etc. It can also lead to microcephaly in which the baby’s head is abnormally small as compared to the rest of the body

• They say, once a person is detected with Zika, he/she will be protected from future infections
• Zika Virus can also lead to a temporary form of paralysis in adults called the Guillain-Barré syndrome

Zika Virus Symptoms:

The symptoms of the Zika virus are so common that people fail to understand that they are infected with this disease. It’s like your normal fever that shows other symptoms like joints pain and redness in the eyes that can last for about 2 to 7 days. People also confuse the Zika virus symptoms with dengue. If you are planning a baby or you are pregnant already (especially in the first trimester), you need to be extra careful.

The only way to treat this infection is by taking enough rest and drinking lot of fluids as, this disease can also cause dehydration. For fever, physicians generally prescribe the regular medicines like paracetemol.

Prevention of Zika Virus:

As they rightly say prevention is better than cure, here are the few measures you need to take to prevent yourself from getting infected:

• Ensure there is no still water around you lying in buckets, plants etc. as that is a breeding ground for mosquitoes
• Keep your surroundings clean as that surely attracts mosquitoes
• Make sure you have the Goodknight Neem Agarbatti or the Goodknight Gold Flash System in your house. You can switch it on by 5 pm to drive the evil mosquitoes out of your house
• If you are going out in the evenings, apply 4 dots of the Goodknight Fabric Roll-On or the Goodknight Cool Gel on your body to avoid getting bitten
• Keep drinking a lot of fluids especially water and stay hydrated

These pests are deadly. In a country that mostly experiences tropical weather, mosquitoes make it their breeding ground. The only way to be safe is keeping yourself protected and taking necessary precautions. Do not ignore this problem. Stay safe.

References:

1. https://www.goodknight.in/zika-virus-and-its-impact-on-our-immune-system/
2. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/zika-virus-all-you-need-to-know-4676548/
3. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/zika-virus-all-you-need-to-know-4676548/