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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIKA FEVER

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Zika fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by Zika virus (ZIKV),
consisting of mild fever, rash (mostly maculo-papular), headaches, arthralgia,
myalgia, asthenia, and non-purulent conjunctivitis, occurring about two to
seven days after the mosquito vector bite. One out of four people may develop
symptoms, but in those who are affected the disease is usually mild with
symptoms that can last between two and seven days. Its clinical manifestation
is often similar to dengue, also a mosquito-borne illness.

SYMPTOMS
About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop
Zika).The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or
conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache.
The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.
Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Deaths are rare.
DIAGNOSIS
The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, which
are diseases caused by other viruses spread by the same type of mosquitoes. See
your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have
visited an area where Zika is present.
If you have recently traveled, tell your healthcare provider when and where
you traveled. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for Zika
or other similar viruses like dengue or chikungunya.
TREATMENT
No vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat Zika
infections.
Treat the symptoms:
– Get plenty of rest
– Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
– Take medicines, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever
and pain
– Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like
ibuprofen and naproxen, should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to
reduce the risk of hemorrhage.
– If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your
healthcare provider before taking additional medication.
– If you have Zika, avoid mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.
During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and
passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An
infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.
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