What is Zika Virus? How to prevent it ?

Zika virus that has infected humans can cause some symptoms, such as fever, joint pains, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and rash. Zika diseases symptoms can resemble symptoms of dengue and chikungunya disease, and can last a few days up to one week.

Zika virus infection occurs through intermediaries Aedes mosquito bites, especially species of Aedes aegypti. A disease that can make named Zika, Zika diseases (Zika disease) or Zika fever (Zika fever).

Zika virus was first found in the monkey forest-resus Zika, Uganda, in 1947. Zika virus was later recovered on the mosquito species, Aedes Africanus in the same forest in 1948 and in humans in Nigeria in 1954. Zika virus became endemic and disease began to spread outside of Africa and Asia in 2007 in the region of the South Pacific. In may 2015, the virus breaks out again in Brazil. The spread of this virus continues to occur in January 2016 in North America, South America, Caribbean, Africa, and Samoa (Oceania). In Indonesia alone, Zika virus has been found in Jambi by 2015.

Zika Virus Causes
Zika diseases cause (Zika disease) or Zika fever (Zika fever) is a virus Zika. Zika virus included in the line of the flavivirus virus still comes from the same family with the disease-causing virus dengue/dengue fever.

Zika virus is spread to humans by infected Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes become infected after biting sufferers who have had the virus. The mosquito is very active during the day and live and breed in indoor or outdoor close to humans, especially in areas that there is standing water.

Although rare, Zika virus can be transmitted from a mother to her baby. Zika virus might be transmitted from a pregnant women on fetus in her womb. The baby may also be contracted at the time of birth. Currently, the cases of Zika virus transmission through breast feeding has not been found so that medical experts still recommend that an infected mother to breastfeed her baby anyway.

In addition, there are some reports of virus Zika which transmission occurs through tranfusi blood and sexual intercourse.

Zika Virus Symptoms
In addition to the already mentioned common symptoms, other symptoms of virus Zika found are headache, pain behind the eyes, and tired. These symptoms are generally mild and lasts up to about one week.

Regarding the period of incubation of the virus Zika is still unknown, but the possibility of up to 2-7 days since the patient is exposed to this virus (exposed to mosquito bites penjangkit). Of the five people who are infected with a virus Zika, one person became ill due to this virus. Although rare, severe cases can occur that require further handling in hospitals, even death.

Zika virus transmission is going on inside the content associated with the occurrence of mikrosefali and brain damage in the fetus. Mikrosefali is a condition in which the circumference of the head is smaller than normal size.

Zika Virus Diagnosis
Viewed from the symptoms resemble many other illnesses, examination of travel route ever done by the patient, in particular to areas that have cases of Zika virus infection can help narrow the diagnosis. The doctor will probably ask you for area, timing, and activities while on a visit to the area.

Doctors can perform blood tests to detect viral nucleic acids, isolating the virus, or test serologis. In addition through the taking of the blood that is normally done in 1-3 days after symptoms appear, urine and saliva may also be a material test on the third day to the fifth day.

Zika Virus Treatment
Zika virus treatment focused efforts to reduce the symptoms felt by patients because of vaccines and medicine healers of this disease has not been found. Treatment against symptoms that may include the granting of fluids to prevent dehydration, pain-relief medicine to relieve fever and headache, as well as enough rest. The use of aspirin and other anti inflammatory nonsteroid drug not recommended before the possibility of dengue affected patients can be removed.

For patients who have been infected with a virus Zika is expected to avoid mosquito bites over the contracted the virus because the virus Zika which can last a long time in the blood of sufferers can spread to others through mosquito bites.

Zika Virus Prevention
Preventing mosquito bites is one of the earliest precautions can help you avoid the Zika virus infection. Some preventive measures that can be done while in the area contracted the virus Zika, among others:

1. Make sure your home has air conditioning or at least have curtain doors and Windows that can prevent mosquito entry into the room.
2. Use mosquito nets on the bed if the area you are visiting does not have the above.
3. Use the arm length of trouser and shirt
4. Use insect repellent ingredients listed on the environmental protection agency or the environmental protection agency (EPA), in accordance with the instructions printed on the packaging. The attached instruction will provide information regarding the deployment, the deployment area is possible, the time and duration of the deployment.
5. Infants aged under two months is not allowed to use insect repellent so you should ensure the baby clothes can protect them from mosquito bites.
6. Use also netting in the crib, stroller, and sling or baby carrier and other tools.
7. Note body area children who are more mature when applying insect repellent material. Avoid areas of the body that is hurt or are experiencing irritation, eye, mouth, and hands.
8. Select maintenance, washing, or wearing of clothing and equipment that use ingredients with permethrin. Learn product information and instructions regarding the use of the protection afforded. 9. Avoid using this product on the skin.
10. Learn also the information about the areas you will visit, such as wellness facilities and outdoor areas open before departure time arrived, particularly the area contracted the virus Zika.
11. Zika virus tests upon his return to do You, particularly pregnant women, from the spread of Zika virus

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source: alodokter