Zika virus: prevent and control

   The Zika virus is definitely a hot topic in recently news, I am going to introduce the Zika virus also how to prevent and control it in this blog.

   Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, mother to child and also sexually. According to the CDC website, the name of "Zika" comes from the Zika forest in Uganda. Zika virus was first isolated in that area in 1947. Although it has been found and outbreak for a long time, we just started to cover it on news because the affects are very slight for adults, people don't get sick enough to go to the hospital. And it's very rare that people are died because of Zika virus. It has similar symptoms as dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and west Nile viruses, such as fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes. The Zika virus has been having a outbreak in Brazil in May, 2015, the major risk of infected Zika virus cause birth defects, it called microcephaly. Although there are additional studies needed to determine the level of relation between Zika and microcephaly, evidences are clear to see some link with these two.
 
   The most and important prevent way for pregnant women is avoid biting by mosquitoes. There are few steps from preventing pregnant women get bites. First, always wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Second, stay indoor with locked windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Third, sleep under a mosquitoes bed net. If you are male who lives in or has visited the area with Zika, you should avoid sexual contact with your partner or use condoms.

   Unfortunately, doctors haven't develop a vaccine or specific medicine to effectively cure the Zika infections. If you have symptoms I listed above, these are some treatment you need to do. First, get enough rest. Second, keep your body hydrate. Third, take medicine like acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain. Fourth, don't take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Do these and if you didn't get better in four weeks, go to see s doctor.

   

This is a picture of a child with microcephaly. if the pregnant women still infected by Zika virus and can't get effective treatment, more infants will be under the illness. It's a serious issue to develop a vaccine.








This is an example of long-sleeves shirt. If you traveled to or lived in the Zika virus area, remember to wear long-sleeves and long pants.