Overview of Zika Virus: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

In India, a total of 151 cases of Zika virus disease were reported from Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat. This viral disease spreads through mosquito bites, sexual contact, and blood transfusions and poses serious complications for pregnant women. However, the Zika virus sometimes comes with mild or no symptoms that anyone can easily miss medication.

Do not miss a timely diagnosis and safeguard your newborn from potential transmission through the mother. Read and learn about common symptoms, the causes of infection, preventive measures, and treatment options to avoid lifelong complications from Zika virus disease. 

What is the Zika Virus?

The Zika virus belongs to the family of flaviviruses and is related to Japanese encephalitis and dengue viruses. This infectious virus is often carried to humans through mosquito bites. The Zika virus causes mild symptoms and requires timely care and proper medication to resolve within 1 week.

However, during pregnancy, it becomes more concerning, since it can cause defects in the foetus’s proper development. 

Symptoms of Zika Virus: When to See a Doctor?

Most infected people with Zika virus disease can have mild discomfort or a silent infection without any signs. Generally, 1 of the 5 people infected with the Zika virus develops symptoms within 3 to 14 days after infection.

Here are some common Zika virus symptoms:

Fever: Often suffers from low-grade or mild fever that stays for several days. 

Joint Pain: Faces extreme joint pain in both feet and hands.

Skin Rash: Mixtures of flat and raised red areas of the skin can cause itchiness. 

Muscle Pain: The recurrent symptom, affecting around 65% of patients with Zika virus disease, is muscle pain. 

Headache: Patients can develop a persistent headache.

Red Eyes: Redness appears in the white parts of the eye, which is Conjunctivitis or pink eye. 

Fatigue: Affected people commonly feel tired for a few days.

The above Zika virus symptoms generally stay for 2 to 7 days. Hospitalisation due to severe conditions and death cases are uncommon with this Zika virus disease. 

What are the Causes of the Zika Virus?

This virus uses your body’s cells for viral replication. Replication of the Zika virus refers to the process of making more copies of itself, which can kill host cells. 

Mosquito Bites: Zika virus primarily transfers through the female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopicus mosquitoes.

Sexual Contact: This virus can stay in human body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluids, for a week to months after infection. So, it can spread through oral sex, vaginal or anal sex.

From Pregnant Woman to Foetus: If a woman is pregnant and gets Zika fever, it can pass to the foetus through the placenta. An estimated 5-15% babies are born with the Zika virus from their mother.

Blood Transfusion: In extremely rare cases, the Zika virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion when a person receives donated blood in a medical setting or hospital.

Apart from mosquito bites and unprotected sex, laboratory exposure or accidents can also transmit the Zika virus. During the daytime, wear protective clothing and use repellents to maintain safety from mosquito bites.

What are the Different Types of Zika Virus Disease?

Microcephaly: Zika virus illness can cause a birth defect, in which the infant is born with an underdeveloped brain and a smaller than normal head.

Congenital Zika Syndrome: It is a severe form of Zika virus-related congenital malformations. This disease causes seizures, intellectual disabilities, hearing loss, balance and movement problems, difficulties in swallowing and eye abnormalities. 

However, Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Zika virus infection have a strong connection, causing rare and severe neurological complications such as paralysis and weakness.

Diagnosis and Tests of Zika Virus

Based on symptoms of the infected person, doctors can suspect the Zika virus disease. However, laboratory tests, such as blood or body fluid tests, can detect this viral infection. 

Immunological Examination: With the help of IgM antibody testing, a positive result can be obtained for differentiating the current virus from flaviviruses, dengue, etc. 

Review Symptoms: Doctors note your sexual and travel history to understand the cause of symptoms, including body rashes, red eyes, headache and fever.

Blood and Urine Test: Molecular testing of urine and blood samples within 14 days of symptom onset can confirm the infection, detect virus particles, or detect antibodies. 

Ultrasound Scan: For a pregnant woman with Zika virus, an ultrasound is necessary to detect foetal brain development.

Neurological Tests: This laboratory test helps to detect any abnormalities associated with Zika virus disease.

How to Treat Zika Virus Disease?

There is no particular medication for Zika virus disease. However, doctors can help manage symptoms of Zika disease.

●       Take enough rest and give your body the time to fight against the Zika virus.

●       Drink fluids to stay hydrated and support your immune system.

●       Unless your professional advises otherwise, avoid any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until the viral infection has been ruled out. 

●       Take doctor-prescribed medicines to treat fever and joint or muscle pain.

How to Prevent Zika Virus?

Certain situations can increase the chances of being infected with the Zika virus, but maintaining preventive measures can eliminate further risk of the Zika virus. 

Protection from Mosquitoes

Individuals need to use a mosquito bed net and insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites. If travelling to a Zika outbreak area, cover your hands and legs with light-coloured, loose clothing. 

Avoid Unprotected Sex

Practising safer sex is essential. Use condoms to prevent sexual transmission while identifying symptoms or travelling or staying in a Zika virus outbreak area. Abstinence for 3 months for men and 2 months for women can avoid the risk of Zika virus infection or disease in your partner. 

Keep a Clean Environment

Clean stagnant water from buckets, planters, trash containers and used tyres to get rid of mosquito breeding in your home and nearby areas. Also, you can use protective nets for doors and windows to reduce the risk of this infection.

Well, staying protective can reduce the risk of getting an infection, but your unexpected out-of-pocket expenses still arise. You can consider a reliable general medical care plan from Bajaj General Insurance to secure your family and yourself. Health insurance provides coverage for diagnosis, hospitalisation, and preventive care.

What are the Possible Complications of the Zika Virus?

Autoimmune Disease: Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare condition of the nerves that causes paralysis or weakness.

Neurological Problem: This includes hearing problems and vision loss in babies if the Zika virus passes from mother to child.

Muscle Tone Changes: The severe condition of the Zika Virus leads to poor coordination or stiffness.

Pregnancy Complications: Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes growth restriction of the baby in the womb and miscarriage in rare cases. 

Rarely, meningitis and encephalitis are other complications among adults.

Final Statement on Future Stability and Security

While Zika virus disease often comes with mild symptoms, timely diagnosis and medication are essential during pregnancy. Seek convenient and accurate testing in trusted diagnostics with advanced laboratory commitments.

Take smart measures to stay protective and prevent infection risk. Since long-term financial security is essential for your family, purchase healthcare insurance to cover immediate medical expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What will happen if I am pregnant and get the Zika virus?

If you are infected with the Zika virus during your pregnancy, you can pass this virus to your baby. It causes a serious birth defect of the brain in your baby, called microcephaly. Furthermore, the Zika virus causes complications, such as reduced brain tissue amount, partial skull collapse, joint issues, eye damage and excessive muscle tone.  

For how long will I remain contagious?

Based on clinical reports, you can still be contagious for a minimum of 6 weeks through intercourse. The Zika virus remains in bodily fluids, such as semen, for a maximum of 3 weeks after any symptoms appear, even if unnoticeable or mild.   

What gender gets most affected by the Zika virus?

Zika virus disease affects both women and men. However, women who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant can have a high risk of contracting the Zika virus. This virus can affect foetal development. So, women should wait 2 months and men should wait 3 months after the onset of Zika virus symptoms before planning for pregnancy.

How Serious is the Zika Virus?

This virus is moderate for children and adults. But for pregnant women, it poses a serious risk as it can disrupt the fetus's development.  

Can my baby survive Zika virus disease?

Yes, in most cases, babies born with the Zika virus are healthy. However, newborns with congenital Zika virus have a higher risk of death. Early diagnosis, including medical interventions and expert care, can improve the survival rate of affected newborns.

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