Signs to recognize Zika virus infection

Some patients infected with Zika do not have clinical symptoms but experts recommend that you be aware of the most common symptoms of this disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Zika virus is an international public health emergency because of growing concerns about possible birth defects. It is estimated that 4 million people may be infected until the end of this year.

Particularly in Vietnam, due to the circulation of mosquitoes causing dengue fever (along with the Zika mosquito-spreading strain) and the movement and interaction with the epidemic areas, the Ministry of Health recognizes the possibility of virus disease Zika can absolutely happen.

Get sick

According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Cap, Central Hospital of Tropical Diseases, Zika incubation period is about 2-12 days after being bitten by mosquitoes. About 75-80% of patients infected with Zika virus have no clinical manifestations.

Doctors said that those who need to test to detect Zika virus are firstly residents or traveling to the area that has circulated Zika within two weeks before the onset of the disease and at least 2 of clinical symptoms.

The dangerous complication of Zika virus is to cause brain atrophy and immune system disorders that affect the nerves.

Expression to recognize Zika:

1. A mild fever of 37.8-38.5 degrees C, fatigue, rash on the skin, pain in small joints in the hands and feet.
2. Conjunctivitis, muscular pain, headache, eye pain, and weakness.
3. A small number of patients may have abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, mucous ulcers or itching.

Diagnosis is determined when the patient is suspicious, there are confirmatory tests such as RT-PCR Zika virus positive, or serologic reaction (IgM) positive and 4 times higher than antibody titre. compared with the titre of Dengue virus neutralizing antibodies at the same time.

Who is susceptible to Zika virus?

According to Dr. Masaya Kato - representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam said that the reason WHO identified Zika as a concern for public health is not because of the spread of the virus but due to complications danger of this disease. For newborns, namely, brain atrophy and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a type of immune system disorder that affects the nerves causing muscle weakness in the arms and legs.

Therefore, pregnant women, intending and at risk of pregnancy are the most cautious subjects.

Women who are pregnant, suspicious or determined to be infected with Zika virus, should be monitored for fetal ultrasound every 3 to 4 weeks for early detection of microcephaly or brain calcification in the fetus.

Children with minor head defects or a history of maternal infection with Zika during pregnancy should be monitored for mental and motor development, evaluation of vision and treatment of disorders such as seizures and seizures.

Zika incubation period about 2-12 days after being bitten by mosquitoes.

How to treat when sick?

Still according to Dr. Grant, there is no specific treatment for Zika virus disease. Supportive treatments include rest, water supplement, electrolytes, fever relief if there is a high fever. Special patients need to be cautious when taking aspirin or corticosteroids when Dengue hemorrhagic fever has not been eliminated.

Watch for weakness, paralysis after getting sick to detect and manage Gulain-Barre syndrome early if any.

How to prevent disease

Since there is no vaccine for prevention, the only way is mainly limited to the Zika endemic area. Individuals in the epidemic area apply measures to limit mosquito bites such as: Wearing tight, light-colored clothes, using insect repellent, covering the screen.

In areas where epidemics are occurring, measures to cover mosquitoes should be implemented such as: Ensuring environmental sanitation, removing stagnant water items such as debris, tires, cans, and puddles. Cover jars, tanks or release fish to kill larvae, kill mosquitoes with traps, rackets, .

Condoms need to be used when having sex with people infected or suspected of being infected with Zika virus.