Zika virus: what it is and whether or not to worry

Zika virus: Why you need to worry

If a pregnant woman suffered Zika virus, it increases the risk of a child with a brain injury. The virus is no vaccine, no specific drug, and no ability to protect the child from its impact. The only good news is that the virus and its complications are rare.

Zika virus 20% of the temperature increase is manifested, rash, arthralgia, conjunctivitis. Most of the cases finished with a slight rise in temperature, or does not feel symptoms. All are symptoms of the disease for two days, maximum a week.

Zika virus belongs to the genus flavivirus, is a relative of yellow fever and dengue fever. All these diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes.

Until recently, the virus Zika did not pay much attention. He was rare, was not associated with serious diseases. But the outbreak of the disease in Brazil in 2015, found a correlation between the virus and microcephaly in newborns.

even Rospotrebnadzor recommended pregnant women not to travel to countries where the virus is widespread.

Similarly, the connection between Zika virus and microcephaly is not proven, but it is very likely. The virus has reached Brazil recently, perhaps in the course of the World Cup in 2014. Followed by a flash of cases of microcephaly. The virus can spread further: Summer Games - 2016 will be held in Rio.

The Government of Brazil reported on 4000 cases of birth of children with head circumference less than 33 cm. For comparison, usually a year in the country is found not more than 150 such cases. Figure may be exaggerated: the majority of children's health, despite the small size of the head. In addition, some microcephaly caused by other reasons. But even if we ignore these exceptions, everything else points to the harm Zika virus.

Do I have to worry about someone other than pregnancy

Jittery worth. Possible complications, affecting not just pregnant women - Barre - Guillain. It is a rare disease in which the body's immune system affects its own nerve cells. As a result, the paralysis may develop. The syndrome runs infectious diseases - from enteritis to flu.

The connection between Zika virus and Guillain - Barre syndrome, as mentioned above, has not been proved. But in the same Brazil spikes morbidity Zika virus and the syndrome coincided time.

Zika virus can be transmitted sexually and through. The United States has recorded such a case, one of the partners went to the region where the virus is widespread, and infect others. At least two other similar cases (one took place in 2007And the other - in 2011 m) Point to this possibility. Uive Scott (Scott Weaver), an expert on infectious diseases, so these cases are commented in an interview The New York Times:

If I have the symptoms of Zika virus appeared, and my wife at the same time would be in the reproductive age, within a few weeks, I was protected would further.

Scott Uive

If sexual transmission exists, it is rarely seen. But this does not mean that we should dismiss him. So, if you are traveling in dangerous areas, do not forget about the protection and home.

There is another important point. Even if you are not planning a child, but can theoretically get pregnant, you need to follow the same precautions as for pregnant women. In other words, before the trip, in it and for some time after it is necessary to be protected with special care and meticulously choose repellents. who knows what.

Whether repellents help

Help. Nothing gives one hundred percent guarantee, but repellents with DEET in the composition effectively repel mosquitoes. with funds natural ingredients also will work.

DEET when used properly, is safe, including during pregnancy. In time, renewable security, because in a few hours repellent effect is reduced.

Which regions are dangerous and will come whether Zika virus in Russia

A full list of countries, a visit which could be dangerous, cast here. The list of more than 25 points, including the island states.

microcephaly flash reflected on the map below. This is a screenshot interactive mapOn which you can find detailed information.

Zika virus first was recorded in Africa in 1947, but there it is not acquired scope of the epidemic, found only isolated cases.

Transmitted by mosquitoes species Aedes aegypti. It is possible to identify at a small white spots. Insects are active during the day. Not available in all regions where mosquitoes live, the outbreak of diseases occur, but once there the carriers, then the disease may appear.

In Russia will hardly take root vectors of disease. These mosquitoes prefer a warmer climate. The only option spread - bring the virus from abroad, from tropical countries.

What is the risk for the unborn child creates a trip to a dangerous region

Small. In the same Brazil mentioned cases microcephaly 4000 are 0.1% of all newborns.

The risk of the fetus is comparable to the risk that is created at a primary CMV infection during pregnancy. And before that, while there was no vaccine against measles, rubella and mumps, rubella it was the main cause of microcephaly. That is the risk of getting the virus from microcephaly Zeke even less than the usual diseases. So even in Brazil, it is difficult to get sick, especially when using repellent. But still pregnant, it makes sense to postpone the trip.

How do I determine that the child suffered from a virus Zika

Be sure to tell the doctor that you were in a country with a high risk of infection if you are pregnant. Especially if you have a rash, increased temperature or reddened eyes. The disease is treated symptomatically, as any viral disease. Pregnant women may require further examination:

• PCR analysis of blood for detection of the virus or the presence of antibodies in the serum.
• Amniocentesis - taking amniotic fluid for analysis for the presence of the virus. But this method alone is conjugate with the risk for pregnancy, therefore it is used as a last resort.
• Routine ultrasound examination every 3-4 weeks, which will allow to monitor the child's brain development.

Complexity is this: it is impossible to predict exactly how the test results will affect the chances of a child with microcephaly. However, ultrasound can show the development of the disease on pregnancy up to 24 weeks.

So if you happen to have picked up the virus Zika, then you find yourself in a difficult situation with a lot of unknowns. No one knows what will result in a positive blood test and how the virus will affect the baby.

Zika virus affects children later

"Microcephaly - a black box," - wrote the Brazilian journalist Ana Caceres (Ana Caceras). The doctors said that she would not walk, talk. But wrong.

However, in most cases, doctors are right: microcephaly entails serious consequences, the children soon leave this life. And Zika virus just associated with the most complex cases.

While this is a new discovery, it is difficult to predict what will children born with microcephaly due to a virus. Cytomegalovirus, for example, destroys stem cells in the brain, so that the nervous tissue just does not develop adequately. Zika virus can work the same way.

Microcephaly is irreversible, treatment can only be achieved as much as possible the development of such children.

What do all over the world in this regard,

Without a vaccine, and a lot of specific drugs do. countries make up Recommendations for tourists and pregnant women are advised not to travel to dangerous places.

In Brazil and El Salvador offer to postpone pregnancy (in El Salvador - until 2018). Not so easy to follow that advice (especially in El SalvadorWhere contraceptives are expensive, and the most popular method of protection - sterilization).

World Health Organization working in several ways:

• The development of diagnostics and tests. This is a more important problem than the development of vaccines and treatments. Without quality testing can not say who need treatment and how far the disease has spread.
• Control the mosquito population. People need protection to reduce the risk of infection.
• Providing medical assistance to the countries where the epidemic is observed. For example, there are required neurologists and physical therapists to help children with microcephaly.
• WHO does not impose restrictions on access to the countries where the virus is widespread. But some countries are not recommended for pregnant women to visit the dangerous regions.

In the near future, the most effective way to fight the virus Zika will disinfestation - mosquito control. This elimination of water bodies with stagnant water, and the use of insecticides, and a genetic change mosquito males (who do not leave offspring), and infected mosquitoes volbahiyami - bacteria that make sterile insects. It sounds scary, but "microcephaly" sounds no better.

Because mosquitoes spread many diseases, hysteria Zika virus can also help in the fight with them.

The vaccine is already in design and it may be tested before the end of the year. White spots in matters of exposure to the virus Zika should be closed in the coming years: the child victims will grow and develop as much as possible, and the doctors will look for the most effective ways rehabilitation.

So now difficult to say how dangerous the virus. While this matter is under investigation, it is better to be safe.