Zika virus infection (patient information)

Zika virus infection
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Zika virus infection?
Does Zika virus infection cause Guillan-Barre syndrome?
Prevention
Travel Notice
Zika virus infection On the Web
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Nate Michalak, B.A.; Serge Korjian M.D.

Read the CDC infographic on what we know about Zika virus here

Overview

• Zika virus causees an illness in humans called Zika virus infection (also known as Zika fever).
• Zika viruses are usually transmitted to humans via a mosquito bite, from the Aedes mosquito. However, Zika virus may also be transmitted from humans to other humans by exchanging body fluids, which often occurs during sexual intercourse or after blood transfusion.
• Zika virus is very contagious.
• It was once thought that Zika virus infection is rare. New observations have shown that the initial estimates of the frequency of the disease has been underestimated in the past.
• Zika virus is thought to be responsible for serious complications in newborns characterized by incomplete brain development (microcephaly).

What are the symptoms of Zika virus infection?

You can become infected with Zika virus more than once and show symptoms many times. Symptoms usually occur within hours or a few days after you are infected with Zika virus. It usually takes a couple of days (usually up to a week) before you are better. Symptoms of Zika virus infection include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Loss of appetite
• Joint aches and/or muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Red eye (conjunctivitis) and eye pain
• Muscle aches

What causes Zika virus infection?

The virus that causes Zika virus infection is Zika virus (ZIKV). Zika virus is usually found in developing countries and is usually implicated outbreaks after people travel to endemic areas. Zika viruses are usually transmitted to humans via a mosquito bite, from the Aedes mosquito. However, Zika virus may also be transmitted from humans to other humans by exchanging body fluids, which often occurs during sexual intercourse or after blood transfusion.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider can use laboratory tests to diagnose Zika virus infection. The symptoms of Zika virus resemble symptoms of other viral infections, and making a diagnosis without laboratory testing is usually difficult.

Treatment options

The best treatments for Zika virus infection are to get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of fluids. If Zika virus infection is suspected, do not take medications without asking your doctor. Ask your doctor if you can take medications to drop your temperature or to alleviate your pain, some over-the-counter medications may be harmful for you. Since Zika virus infection is a viral infection, antibiotics have no effect. Antiviral drugs are not recommended for Zika virus infection since the majority of infected persons will improve without treatment.

Where to find medical care for Zika virus infection?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Zika virus infection

Does Zika virus infection cause Guillan-Barre syndrome?

• We do not yet know if there is a connection between Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS) and Zika virus infection.
• It is difficult to determine if any particular pathogen or germ “causes” Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
• The Brazil Ministry of Health has reported an increased number of people who have been infected with Zika virus who also have GBS.
• CDC is working with Brazil to study the possibility of a link between Zika and GBS.

Prevention

There are no vaccines available to prevent Zika virus infection. Since the virus is usually transmitted through mosquitoes, effective measures to avoid mosquito bites include using insect repellent, installing mosquito bed nets and window/door screens, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and removing potential breeding sites from indoor/outdoor premises. Once infected, persons may be re-infected in the future.

Travel Notice

Travel to Cape Verde

CDC ALERT - LEVEL 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions as of January 27th 2016

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cape Verde reported the first local transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) in October 2015.

Travel to the Caribbean

CDC ALERT - LEVEL 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions as of January 27th 2016

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first local transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) was reported in the Caribbean in December 2015.
• Since then, the following Caribbean destinations have reported ongoing transmission of Zika:

• Barbados
• Dominican Republic
• Guadeloupe
• Haiti
• Martinique
• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory
• Saint Martin
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Travel to Central America

CDC ALERT - LEVEL 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions as of January 27th 2016

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first local transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) was reported in Central America in November 2015.

• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Panama

Travel to Mexico

CDC ALERT - LEVEL 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions as of January 27th 2016

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first local transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) was reported in Mexico in November 2015.

Travel to Samoa

CDC ALERT - LEVEL 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions as of January 27th 2016

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first local transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) was reported in Samoa in November 2015.

Travel to South America

CDC ALERT - LEVEL 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions as of January 27th 2016

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first local transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) was reported in South America in November 2015.

• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• French Guiana
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Suriname
• Venezuela

How Can Travelers Protect Themselves From Mosquito Bites

What type of insect repellent should I use?

For Protection Against Ticks and Mosquitoes

• Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours. Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon

For Protection Against Mosquitoes Only

• Products with one of the following active ingredients can also help prevent mosquito bites. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection

• DEET
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin. Products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US])
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals)
• IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart)

• Always follow product directions and reapply as directed

• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second
• Follow package directions when applying repellent on children. Avoid applying repellent to their hands, eyes, and mouth

• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself

• Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See the product information to find out how long the protection will last
• If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully
• Do not use permethrin directly on skin

What other steps should I take to prevent bug bites?

Prevent Mosquito Bites

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats
• Stay and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors

What Should I Do If I Am Bitten By Bugs?

If You are Bitten By a Mosquito:

• Avoid scratching mosquito bites
• Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching

Sources

• Courtesy: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases virus/Pages/Default.aspx
• Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [2]