Zika seemed to come out of nowhere and suddenly ruin all our travel plans and pregnancy timelines.
Zika is a virusspread by mosquitoesand causes mild symptoms in adults like fever and a headache.
It also causes serious birth defects, so has gotten a lot of attention.
The scary part about Zika is that there is still so much unknown.
However, here are some facts we do know.
Microcephaly means the baby’shead is much smallerthan is normal.
When a baby’s head is too small, his or her brain can’t develop normally.
“This study marks a turning point in the Zika outbreak.
It is now clear that the virus causes microcephaly.
We are working to do everything possible to protect the American public.”
This finding is so concerning because these birth defects are permanent.
“These key in of defects cannot be fixed.
They may lead to blindness,” Dr. Tara NarulatoldCBS This Morning.
The effects are not the same, but Zika could still affect each of us.
When researchers infected adult mice with Zika, they found that certain brain cells died from the virus.
“These cells are special, and somehow very susceptible to the infection.”
We also don’t know if human brains are affected the same way as the mice brains were.
It’s safe to say that more research will be coming out about this possible link.
The culprit may be sleeping next to you.
Men who have been exposed to Zika and have no symptoms whatsoevercan pass the diseaseto their partners through sex.
This is especially critical for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive and their partners."
“A few months of precautions can prevent devastating lifelong defects for the developing fetus.”
However, it seemed that Congress' response was slow and flawed.
“Weaker mosquito-control efforts.
Longer wait times to get accurate diagnostic results.
It puts more Americans at risk.”
The president called on Congress to move past partisan politics and address this problem.
That means working in a bipartisan way to fully fund our Zika response," he said.
Zika is not new though.
It was actually discovered in amonkey in the 1940s.
It was found in humans in Uganda and Tanzania in 1952 and found again in Nigeria in 1968.
The first major Zika outbreak happened in 2007 on the island of Yap in Micronesia.
That means covering up, using mosquito nets when necessary, and investing in a good insect repellent.
“It comes in concentrations of between 5-100 percent.
Although higher concentrations last longer, there is no added benefit to going above 50 percent.”
It seems that mosquitoes love hurricane conditions.
“The Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bites.
If you have recently experienced a hurricane, check that to dump any standing water near your home.
For a little peace of mind, consider treating your clothing to repel mosquitoes.
Thesolution permethrincan stay on clothes and prevent mosquito bites.
“you’re free to buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself.
As for the guys, protected sex with your pregnant or intending to get pregnant partner/spouse.”
Cover up to protect yourself
Another way to prevent mosquito bites is to simply wear more clothing.
They can’t bite you if they can’t find your skin, right?
Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects,” explained Dr. Misra.
“It can be sexually transmitted, so abstain from sex or wear condoms.
It’s important to know that there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.”
Zika won’t affect future pregnancies
Finally some good news!
While Zika can be devastating for pregnant women, it shouldn’t affect future pregnancies.
Talk with your doctor about how long to wait before becoming pregnant.
“Women who have possibly been exposed should practice safe sex for at least eight weeks after travel.
A little prevention can go a long way!”
The only way to have safe sex after being exposed to Zika is to use condoms.
This applies even if you are already pregnant.
“If you travel frequently to a Zika-affected area, you may also need testing more than once.”
Many adults never even notice symptoms of being sick.
Six months of condoms is a lot better than irreversible birth defects.
Of course avoiding areas of the country and world where Zika is a risk is the best precaution.
However, for those living in Zika areas, it’s possible for you to still protect yourself.
see to it your home is air conditioned or has good screens to prevent mosquitoes from coming in.
Always wear protective clothing and insect repellant when you go outside.
While it is rare, Zika cancause Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)in adults.
GBS is a serious neurologic condition in which your immune system actually attacks your nervous system.
It is also crucial for people infected with Zika to stay away from mosquitoes.
She will ask a lot of questions about recent travel and any new symptoms.
The only way to know for sure is to send atest to the lab.
This is a very different picture than other types of outbreaks.
“The Ebola emergency was because of what was known.”
More research is needed to know how to support pregnant women and their families.
“But we don’t know how long that immunity lasts.
Is it five years?
We don’t have an answer.”
