The Zika Virus: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Introduction 

The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne flavivirus was first identified in 1947 in monkeys in Uganda's Zika forest. Five years later, the first case of human infection was reported in Uganda and neighboring Tanzania (Hayes, 2009). The virus is transmitted through Aedes mosquito. When Aedes mosquito bites a person infected with the zika virus, the mosquito carries with it the virus and passes on to the next person it bites (Hayes, 2009). Aedes mosquito has been identified as the same mosquito type which carries yellow fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya virus. Outbreaks of the zika virus occurred only in Africa until 2007, when there were reported cases of the virus in the South Pacific (Oehler et al., 2014). The CDC also confirmed that the Zika Virus could be transmitted through sexual intercourse between an infected person to one who is not infected. For example, a person who travels to an area with an outbreak of the virus can infect a partner who did not travel through sex. Infected men and women can both pass the virus to their sexual partners even if the symptoms and signs of the virus are not yet shown. 

Additionally, pregnant mothers infected with the virus can also pass it on to their fetus. According to a study done by Musso, Nilles & Cao‐Lormeau (2014), the zika virus can also be found in semen, saliva, urine, and blood of the infected persons, as well as in the fluid of the eye. In Utah, there was a reported case of an infected person who got the virus without living or traveling to areas with the outbreak of the virus. The person was reported to be the caregiver and a relative of a zika patient who had died of the disease months earlier. The health officials believe that the caregiver got infected with the virus because of coming into contact with the sweat and tears of the patient who had earlier died (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). 

Symptoms of the Zika Virus 

Many people infected with the virus manifest only mild symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of zika virus include: 

Rash 

Fever 

Muscle pain 

Conjunctivitis 

Joint pain 

Headache 

The symptoms for zika virus usually last for weeks or several days (Hayes, 2009). People infected with the zika virus may not get sick enough to visit the hospital, and they hardly die of Zika. As a result, most infected people may not realize that they are infected. Symptoms of the zika virus are similar to the other viral diseases transmitted through mosquitoes such as chikungunya and dengue (Hayes, 2009). Zika virus can remain in the blood of an infected person for a week (Hayes, 2009). One should see the doctor in case one develops the symptoms of the virus. 

Diagnosis 

There are two identified ways through which the zika virus can be tested. One way is to look for traces of the genetic code of the virus in people who are actively infected (Oliveira et al., 2016). However, after the body clears the infection which is usually 14 days after the appearance of the symptoms, the test does not work. Health experts recommend the use of the more advanced version of the test which can distinguish whether one has chikungunya, dengue or zika instead of conducting three different tests. Since almost 80% of the Zika infected patients do not show symptoms, many people would not know when they were infected and, therefore, would not be eligible for this test (Oliveira et al., 2016). The other test identifies the antibodies made by the immune system to fight the virus. This test can find traces of antibodies in the blood three months after one is infected. The test is, however, not sufficiently useful as it can mistakenly show that one has had zika if, in fact, they have been infected with other viruses such as chikungunya and dengue (Oliveira et al., 2016). An inconclusive test result should have a follow-up test done by CDC authorized lab. In pregnant women, testing of the amniotic fluid can be done even though it has not been ascertained by the CDC how well the test would work for zika (Musso, Nilles & Cao‐Lormeau, 2014). 

Treatment 

Like the other viral diseases, there is no treatment for zika virus. However, many people who manifest the symptoms do well with the medications for pains and aches. The condition can run for a week or so. The CDC recommends that the infected people should have much rest, take plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (Musso, Nilles, & Cao‐Lormeau, 2014). The infected persons can also take acetaminophen to help with pain and fever. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin should be avoided until dengue is ruled out to help reduce risks of bleeding (Musso, Nilles & Cao‐Lormeau, 2014). No vaccine has been identified to prevent zika even though the national institute of health continues to conduct the test on humans. 

The connection between microcephaly, pregnancy and zika virus 

The CDC confirmed that the zika virus causes microcephaly in children born to women who get infected during pregnancy. Microcephaly is known for stunting the growth of the baby's head causing devastating brain damage which may sometimes cause death (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). Microcephaly may sometimes cause stillbirth or miscarriage. The virus was first identified in Brazil in 2015 (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). At least 2100 babies in Brazil have been born with congenital disabilities connected with zika such as microcephaly(Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). Brazil and other affected countries have since advised women to postpone pregnancy until the virus is amicably dealt with. 

Whereas there are various causes of microcephaly in babies such as genetic problems, infections during pregnancy, and exposure to the toxic substances, the CDC has established that Zika virus is amongst the causes of microcephaly (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). Additionally, research has shown that women who get infected with the virus during their earliest stage of pregnancy register the worst outcomes. Some studies have also demonstrated that the virus can harm fetuses even at later stages of pregnancy. In the recent years, there has been emerging evidence to show that microcephaly is not the only birth defect connected with the zika virus. The CDC has identified other five types of congenital disabilities which are unique to zika or which hardly occur with other infections in pregnant women. They include the following: 

Decreased amount of the tissues of the brain with deposits of calcium indicating damage of the brain 

Damage to the eye 

A small range of motion in joints, like the clubfoot 

A lot of muscle tone which bars movement 

The effects mentioned above are collectively known as congenital Zika syndrome. As of 2015 February, the CDC had already confirmed infections of the virus in at least 1500 pregnant women in the United States and at least 3200 pregnant women within the territories of the United States (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). Almost 47 U.S babies have been born with zika related birth defects and five losses of pregnancy linked to the zika virus. The CDC advised the women and men traveling to areas with infections of Zika virus to either abstain from sex or use a condom during intercourse. All the pregnant women in the United States were also evaluated for possible exposure to the virus during their prenatal clinic visit with each one of them getting tested for the virus (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). 

Can Zika Virus cause other Health Conditions? 

Occasionally, Zika virus has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder which can lead to complete or partial paralysis normally starting in the legs, and often temporary (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). In the recent years, there has been an increase in the illness in places such as Brazil and French Polynesia, where the epidemic of the zika virus has been prevalent. Several studies have shown a link between zika and the syndrome. The zika case in the United States going with the CDC website lists thirteen cases of Guillain- Barre. Even so, the CDC also notes that the syndrome can also follow other infections such as the flu. 

According to a study presented at the American Academy of the Neurology Conference, there is a link between the zika virus and an autoimmune disorder known as the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). The person with the disease can have the immune system attack the myelin coating surrounding the nerve fibers in the spinal cord and the brain similar to multiple sclerosis (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). Doctors also reported a case of brain swelling connected with the zika virus, in an 81 old man who was on a cruise on the South Pacific. The man had a severe fever and then got into a coma. He was diagnosed with swelling of membranes which cover the spinal cord and the brain otherwise known as meningoencephalitis. His spinal fluid was found to be having traces of the zika virus (Goldfarb, Jaffe & Lyerly, 2017). After 38 days in the hospital, the man recovered. 

Prevention 

Protection against mosquito bites is a significant measure towards the prevention of infection from zika virus (Musso, Nilles, & Cao‐Lormeau, 2014). This can be achieved through sleeping under treated mosquito nets, using mosquito repellants containing DEET, wearing light-colored clothes which cover as much of the body as possible, clearing stagnant water which can breed mosquitoes. Significant attention should be given to people who are not in a position to protect themselves adequately such as the elderly, the sick and children. People living and the ones traveling to the affected areas should take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the mosquito bites or even getting infected by those who already have the disease. 

Since zika virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, it is important that sexually active men and women living or traveling to the zika affected areas should use contraceptives such as condoms during sexual intercourse or abstain. Women who have unprotected sex with the infected people and do not plan to be pregnant should seek emergency contraceptives. Pregnant women should also have safe sex or abstain from sexual activities during the whole pregnancy period. 

Conclusion 

The Zika virus is a disease which is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquito biting humans. Unlike the malaria-related mosquitos, ordinarily active during the night, the Aedes mosquitos are usually active during the day more so during the mid-morning, afternoon and at dusk. Scientists have determined that Zika virus causes congenital disabilities which includes microcephaly. Like other viral diseases, the zika virus has no treatment. However, a lot can be done to prevent the illness including protecting oneself from mosquitoes and abstaining or using condoms during sexual intercourse with an infected person. 

References 

Goldfarb, I. T., Jaffe, E., & Lyerly, A. D. (2017). Responsible Care in the Face of Shifting Recommendations and Imperfect Diagnostics for Zika Virus.  Jama ,  318 (21), 2075-2076. 

Hayes, E. B. (2009). Zika virus outside Africa.  Emerging infectious diseases ,  15 (9), 1347. 

Musso, D., Nilles, E. J., & Cao‐Lormeau, V. M. (2014). Rapid spread of emerging Zika virus in the Pacific area.  Clinical Microbiology and Infection ,  20 (10). 

Oehler, E., Watrin, L., Larre, P., Leparc-Goffart, I., Lastere, S., Valour, F., ... & Ghawche, F. (2014). Zika virus infection complicated by Guillain-Barre syndrome–case report, French Polynesia, December 2013.  Eurosurveillance ,  19 (9), 20720. 

Oliveira Melo, A. S., Malinger, G., Ximenes, R., Szejnfeld, P. O., Alves Sampaio, S., & Bispo de Filippis, A. M. (2016). Zika virus intrauterine infection causes fetal brain abnormality and microcephaly: tip of the iceberg?.  Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology ,  47 (1), 6-7.