What is Zika virus? The cause to the illness

The article is professionally consulted by Master. Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Doctor of Infectious Diseases - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 10 years of experience in the field of artificial kidneys, and in the field of infectious diseases, examining and managing patients with kidney disease and infectious diseases.

Zika virus is a viral infection mainly spread by mosquito bites, common in tropical and subtropical countries. Mosquitoes transmit disease by sucking the virus from an infected person and then transferring it to a normal person. Zika virus leaves serious consequences, especially for pregnant women, causing birth defects.

1. What is Zika?

Zika virus is also known as Zika virus disease or Zika virus that causes Zika virus disease.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Most people infected with the Zika virus have no signs or symptoms. Some signs and symptoms may include headache, red eyes (conjunctivitis).
Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriage and can cause microcephaly, a potentially fatal congenital brain condition. The Zika virus can also cause other neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by severe central nervous system disturbances. Therefore, it is important for all of us to diagnose and detect this disease early.

2. Causes of disease

Virus Zika lây truyền chủ yếu qua vết cắn của muỗi aedes bị nhiễm bệnh

The Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected aedes mosquito, which can be found around the world. The virus was first identified in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 1947 in Rhesus Monkeys through the Sylvatic yellow fever surveillance network. The disease was then identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been reported in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
When a mosquito bites a person infected with Zika virus, the virus enters the mosquito. When an infected mosquito then bites another person, the virus enters that person's bloodstream.
The virus can also be transmitted to an unborn baby during pregnancy. The virus is spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.

3. How dangerous is Zika virus disease for pregnant women?

Zika virus disease is especially dangerous if passed from mother to child. Children born with Zika virus disease can have birth defects:
Eye defects; Hearing loss; Growth decline; Microcephaly; Fetal brain defects

Bệnh zika — Trẻ em sinh ra với bệnh virus Zika có thể mắc tật đầu nhỏ

4. Risk of acquiring

Pregnant women. Pregnant women who are most at risk of contracting Zika virus are pregnant women, which is extremely dangerous. Pregnant women infected with Zika virus can transmit the virus to their unborn baby. Live or travel in an endemic country. Being in the tropics and subtropics increases your risk of being exposed to the virus that causes the Zika virus Having unprotected sex. The Zika virus can be spread to others through sexual contact. If a male partner or a couple consisting of male and female partners traveling to an area at risk for Zika, suggest using condoms or avoiding sex for three months. If female partners travel to an area at risk for Zika use condoms or avoid sex for at least two months.

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Article referenced source: Ministry of Health

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