Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
The Zika virus has made headlines as infested mosquitos caused alarm for travelers and citizens in areas such as Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands. Recent reports say that Illinoisans should also take precautions as the pesky, infected skeeters have found their way further north.
Dr. Janak Koirala, an infectious disease doctor at SIU School of Medicine, cautions that the ZIka virus is a nationally notifiable condition.
Who’s at risk?
Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are at an especially greater risk, warns the CDC. Pregnant women who have been infected with the virus may experience poor pregnancy outcomes, including microcephaly, a birth defect in which the baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of similar age and gender. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly, which could lead to future health problems.
What are the symptoms?
“Only about 20% of people who are infected with the Zika virus will show symptoms,” Dr. Koirala explains. If symptoms do occur, they may take a few days to a week to be noticed, and they usually last for a couple days to a week. Some people may experience fever, rash, red eyes and joint and muscle pain, or a headache.
“Patients who develop symptoms should be sure to get plenty of rest, drink fluids to prevent dehydration and take acetaminophen for fever or pain,” Dr. Koirala says. He cautions patients to avoid NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, until a doctor makes a diagnosis.
How can I prevent Zika Infection?
Dr. Koirala recommends avoiding travel to Zika-outbreak areas and seeing a health care provider before and after travel. He gives these tips to reduce mosquito exposure:
- Use air conditioning or window/door screens, bed-nets
- Use mosquito repellents (e.g. DEET >30%) on exposed skin
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
- Spray and wear permethrin-treated clothing
- Empty standing water from outdoor containers
Because Zika can also be sexually transmitted, when a man returns after traveling to a Zika virus affected area, the CDC further recommends the following:
- If the female partner is pregnant, abstain or use condoms throughout pregnancy
- If man is symptomatic and female partner is not pregnant, abstain or use condoms for 6 months
- If man is asymptomatic and female partner is not pregnant, abstain or use condoms for 8 weeks
For more information and updates on the Zika virus, visit the CDC webpage at www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.
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