Understanding Zika

Zika is a virus. It is spread by mosquitoes. It was first discovered in the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. For many decades, it was thought to be a rare cause of infection. It was found only in small areas of Africa, the Yap Islands in the Pacific, and Easter Island in Chile. But in April 2015, it was found in Brazil. It later spread to many countries in South America and Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

A number of cases have also been found in the U.S. Most of these people got the virus while visiting other parts of the world where mosquitoes are spreading it. Rarely, the virus has been spread by mosquitoes in the U.S.

The Zika virus is mostly passed on by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. If you are pregnant, you can also give it to your unborn child. It may also be spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.

Most people infected with the Zika virus have no symptoms. People who do get symptoms usually have mild symptoms that last several days to a week. Symptoms may include:

• A fever.
• A rash.
• A headache.
• Joint and muscle pain.
• Conjunctivitis, which causes the eyes to become red, irritated, and inflamed.

There is no specific treatment for the Zika virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms. It includes:

• Rest. You may feel better sooner if you get plenty of rest.
• Fluids. Drinking lots of fluids will help you stay hydrated. Water and sports drinks are good choices. Don't have alcohol or drinks with caffeine.
• Medicine. Acetaminophen can help ease fever and pain. Do not take aspirin, products with aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also important not to give aspirin products to children 19 years or younger with a viral infection because this may result in Reye syndrome. This can cause brain or liver damage.

• Congenital malformations in newborns. If you are pregnant and infected with Zika, you can pass it on to your baby. This is true even if you have no symptoms. These children may be born with microcephaly. This birth defect causes a smaller than normal head and a less developed brain. It can lead to developmental problems, learning disabilities, and neurological problems.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is mainly seen in adults and older children. It is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its nerves. This disease causes severe muscle weakness or paralysis.

If you are pregnant and have possible signs of Zika, report them right away to your doctor. Contact your doctor or seek medical care right away if you have any of these:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
• Pain that gets worse
• Symptoms that don't get better or get worse
• New symptoms