Zika virus a global emergency: Here's all that you should know!

Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan

​New Delhi: The Zika virus is slowly but steadily gaining momentum. So much so, that the global public health arm, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global emergency.

The virus seems to have appeared out of nowhere, seeing as how it's carried by the dengue-causing Aedes mosquito.

According to WHO, twenty-one countries and territories of America have reported cases of the virus since transmission was first detected in Brazil in May 2015.

Zika virus, as of now, has no specific treatment in terms of vaccination or medication and it's symptoms are very much akin to that of dengue fever.

According to Wikipedia, Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. It is treated by rest and cannot yet be prevented by drugs or vaccines. There is a possible link between Zika fever and microcephaly in newborn babies by mother-to-child transmission, as well as a stronger one with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome.

This information, therefore, makes it essential that we remain well aware of the situation, symptoms of the virus as well as what best to do if one is diagnosed with it.

The most common symptoms of Zika are:

1. Fever

2. Rash

3. Joint pain

4. Conjunctivitis (red eyes)

5. Muscle pain

6. Headache

Treatment:

1.Get plenty of rest

2. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration

3. Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

4. If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.