The Zika virus recently surfaced in South America and since then has spread widely around the world. Today, majority of individuals have a general sense of what the virus is, knowing it is serious enough that whenever the virus is brought up, the conversation takes a turn, becoming solemn, melancholic, and serious. Although the virus is most often linked to being a big threat to pregnant women, the virus should be taken seriously by everyone, as it can affect anyone. Because of this, everyone should be aware of what the virus truly is, know how to diagnose it, and how to treat it.
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus linked to the Aedes species of mosquitos specifically. This virus has been written into our minds to be a threat to pregnant women, as being a pregnant woman with the virus can cause the infant to develop microcephaly, a serious birth defect where the infant is born with an abnormally small skull, and can have other developmental issues, such as problems with intellectual development, seizures, and hearing and vision loss. Although pregnant woman do need to take this virus seriously, especially if they have been potentially exposed to the virus, everyone should be aware of the symptoms, as the virus can, in some individuals, cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. This syndrome causes muscle weakness, difficulty with balance/standing/walking, unusual tingling sensations in the toes/feet, and so on.
Ever since the virus emerged in Brazil, it has spread to more than 60 countries. Currently, in California, the state in which I reside, there have been 389 reported cases, and the number of cases varies by state. Because of this epidemic, public health workers, lawmakers, health experts, and U.S. health officials are warning everyone about the risks of the virus and the need to take precaution, especially when traveling to places with the active virus. All of these health workers focus on the same goal: to keep everyone safe from developing the virus.
The virus can spread from person to person by way of mosquito, meaning that a mosquito can bite an infected individual then bite an uninfected individual, therefore transmitting the virus from the infected individual to the uninfected. Besides being spread by mosquito bite, the virus can also spread by sexual contact, and from a mother to her child. With the virus, many individuals typically develop mild flu-like symptoms such as aches, fever, red eyes, and fatigue, but those symptoms can be treated with hydration, rest, and pain relievers such as acetaminophen (never use NSAIDs, as they have been liked to hemorrhaging when combined with Zika). However, if more severe symptoms develop, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.
The virus was declared in February of 2016 to be an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization, but much is being done by public health workers, health officials, etc. to control the virus. However, there is still much research to be conducted on the Zika virus. Health workers are researching ways to diagnose the virus quicker, as right now the virus is only diagnosed through blood test, and much effort is being put into finding a treatment or vaccine for the virus. However, there are ways to prevent oneself from getting the virus. This includes wearing long-sleeve shirts, insect repellant, long pants, and staying away from areas where mosquitoes like to locate.
The Zika virus is a very serious one that has been on the news ever since it emerged, and is one that will continue to be on the news, as it is a very hot topic. Although many are worried about developing the virus, taking these precautions to prevent oneself from receiving mosquito bites is vitally important, and treating the symptoms if you do develop the virus, is also important. Public health workers, lawmakers, health officials, etc. are working incredibly hard to figure out how to control the spread of the virus, diagnose it, treat it, and prevent it, and they will continue to do research until they solve it once and for all. All they want is to make sure everyone in the world is cared for and feels safe wherever they are living all across the globe.
Links used:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/12/30/more-work-lies-ahead-to-fight-zika-other-threats-cdc-chief.html
http://conditions.healthgrove.com/l/1368/Zika-Virus-Disease?utm_source=viz&utm_medium=viz.referral&utm_campaign=viz.ref.4553&utm_viz_id=4grvmUeL1YN&utm_pubreferrer=www.foxnews.com%2Fhealth%2F2016%2F12%2F30%2Fmore-work-lies-ahead-to-fight-zika-other-threats-cdc-chief.html
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus linked to the Aedes species of mosquitos specifically. This virus has been written into our minds to be a threat to pregnant women, as being a pregnant woman with the virus can cause the infant to develop microcephaly, a serious birth defect where the infant is born with an abnormally small skull, and can have other developmental issues, such as problems with intellectual development, seizures, and hearing and vision loss. Although pregnant woman do need to take this virus seriously, especially if they have been potentially exposed to the virus, everyone should be aware of the symptoms, as the virus can, in some individuals, cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. This syndrome causes muscle weakness, difficulty with balance/standing/walking, unusual tingling sensations in the toes/feet, and so on.
Ever since the virus emerged in Brazil, it has spread to more than 60 countries. Currently, in California, the state in which I reside, there have been 389 reported cases, and the number of cases varies by state. Because of this epidemic, public health workers, lawmakers, health experts, and U.S. health officials are warning everyone about the risks of the virus and the need to take precaution, especially when traveling to places with the active virus. All of these health workers focus on the same goal: to keep everyone safe from developing the virus.
The virus can spread from person to person by way of mosquito, meaning that a mosquito can bite an infected individual then bite an uninfected individual, therefore transmitting the virus from the infected individual to the uninfected. Besides being spread by mosquito bite, the virus can also spread by sexual contact, and from a mother to her child. With the virus, many individuals typically develop mild flu-like symptoms such as aches, fever, red eyes, and fatigue, but those symptoms can be treated with hydration, rest, and pain relievers such as acetaminophen (never use NSAIDs, as they have been liked to hemorrhaging when combined with Zika). However, if more severe symptoms develop, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.
The virus was declared in February of 2016 to be an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization, but much is being done by public health workers, health officials, etc. to control the virus. However, there is still much research to be conducted on the Zika virus. Health workers are researching ways to diagnose the virus quicker, as right now the virus is only diagnosed through blood test, and much effort is being put into finding a treatment or vaccine for the virus. However, there are ways to prevent oneself from getting the virus. This includes wearing long-sleeve shirts, insect repellant, long pants, and staying away from areas where mosquitoes like to locate.
The Zika virus is a very serious one that has been on the news ever since it emerged, and is one that will continue to be on the news, as it is a very hot topic. Although many are worried about developing the virus, taking these precautions to prevent oneself from receiving mosquito bites is vitally important, and treating the symptoms if you do develop the virus, is also important. Public health workers, lawmakers, health officials, etc. are working incredibly hard to figure out how to control the spread of the virus, diagnose it, treat it, and prevent it, and they will continue to do research until they solve it once and for all. All they want is to make sure everyone in the world is cared for and feels safe wherever they are living all across the globe.
Links used:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/12/30/more-work-lies-ahead-to-fight-zika-other-threats-cdc-chief.html
http://conditions.healthgrove.com/l/1368/Zika-Virus-Disease?utm_source=viz&utm_medium=viz.referral&utm_campaign=viz.ref.4553&utm_viz_id=4grvmUeL1YN&utm_pubreferrer=www.foxnews.com%2Fhealth%2F2016%2F12%2F30%2Fmore-work-lies-ahead-to-fight-zika-other-threats-cdc-chief.html