Zika virus – Symptoms and Prevention

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The virus is not contagious and normally has flu-like symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week.
Symptoms lasting for several days to a week. It is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also carries dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya viruses. It not communicable from person to person but can be transmitted when a mosquito bites someone who’s infected and then bites someone else.
Problems
Zika virus may play a role in developing congenital microcephaly (small head and brain) in the fetus of infected pregnant women. Scientists say there is growing evidence of a link to microcephaly, that leads to babies being born with small heads. Symptoms include below-average head size in new borns, often caused by the failure of brain to grow at normal rate.
Protection
To protect, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.
Treatment
Take plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, include water, juice and Gatorade/electral
Take medicines, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, for fever and pain as needed
Avoid inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, brufen and naproxen, in case one may have dengue
Take plenty of rest