The virus Zika - what is it? Symptoms, treatment, infection

The first mention of the virus "Zika" is dated 1947, when it is found in rhesus macaques in the tropical forests of Uganda. The infection of a person with this pathogen is noted after seven years( 1952).

If in the 50 years there were only small outbreaks of the disease, then for today, they are calculated in thousands. The virus is rapidly spreading to the subtropical and tropical regions of the southern US, Asian and African regions, Japanese islands and Japan itself. Today, it is already registered in European countries.

Particular attention to infection is due to the difference in its effect on adults, especially women in the situation, manifested by symptoms of fever. And children of the fetal and postnatal period, manifesting themselves as serious pathological changes in the central nervous system( microcephaly), which are incompatible with life.

It has now been proven that the virus "Zika" is transmitted only with the bites of certain mosquitoes, but the versions of transmission through blood transfusion( blood transfusion) and sexual intimacy are not excluded.

Pathogen: the path of infection

At this stage, scientists distinguish two types of carriers of the virus of the fever "Zika" - mosquitoes of yellow-bilberry bite( aegypti Aedes) and the tiger Asian mosquito( Aedes albopictus).They live in regions and countries with hot climatic conditions and high humidity.

The main process of development of the pathogen and its life cycles, take place in the body of mosquitoes and mosquitoes infected after being bitten by an infected object( primate or human).The main condition underlying the viral cyclic development is due to the need to constantly maintain an elevated temperature regime in the insects, promoted by the tropical and subtropical environment.

Infection of humans occurs through the bite of insects that are carriers of the virion, which are very active during the day and extremely fertile.

Lays a large number of eggs in open nature and in deaf premises. The causative agent is a non-cellular virion consisting of a protein structure that facilitates its penetration into human cells.

Here its synthesis occurs using for replicating the protein elements of the affected human cells and producing its own polyproteins. Intracellular synthesis of the virus leads to the destruction of human cells and the emergence of a large number of progeny viruses.

Primary pathomorphological pathology is immediately exposed to the bone marrow( dendritic) cells of Langerhans in the area of ​​the bite, with the primary damage to the nuclear structure.

Further spread of the virus "Zika" through the body follows the numerous branches of the lymphatic system and the circulatory vasculature. The highest predisposition to the disease was noted in pregnant women( through the fetoplacental barrier) and in children.

Symptoms of the Zicke virus in humans

A small study of pathology does not allow for an accurate determination of the causative agent's latency. According to the supposed version of scientists, it is determined by a very small period from the process of introducing the virion into the body, until the manifestation of clinical specific features.

Symptoms of the virus "Zika" in humans are similar to those of similar infections caused by arboviruses. Are:

• with a pyretic fever, debilitating the patient for five days;
• by macular and papular itching skin rash( exanthema), mainly in the upper part of the trunk;
• possible new rashes in febrile period;
• is an inflammatory process in the conjunctiva( rarely with purulent);
• photophobia and pain symptoms in the eyes;
• muscle weakness and pain;
• by arthralgia of small and large joint groups;
• is a mild headache syndrome for a week, and for a longer time;
• decreased physical activity.

Sometimes there are manifestations of mild symptoms of dyspeptic symptoms without any connection with poisoning. In the age group of infected, unlike children, the fever "Zika" does not cause complicated variants of the course of the disease; in children, the complication appears as a prolonged acute polyradiculoneuritis:

• with a syndrome of flaccid paresis;
• by loss of sensitivity;
• by paroxysmal vegetative disorders.

The effects of the Zika virus in children with fetoplacental infection are manifested by signs of microcephaly, varying degrees of oligophrenia( from the weakest stage to deep idiocy), deformation of the facial bones and small skull sizes.

Unfortunately, a severe neurological deficit leads to the death of newborns already in the first day of their life.

The virus of Zeka:

diagnostics Some clinical manifestations of the symptoms of the Zika virus can not verify the diagnosis, as the signs of infection are similar to manifestations of other forms of fever, for example - malarial, chikungunya or hemorrhagic fever Dengue. The maximum informativeness is given by:

1. Blood test for detection of viral RNA.
2. PRC analysis - plasma, saliva and urine for the detection of nucleic acid( conducted no later than 10 days after the first signs of infection).
3. Serological examination of blood( immunofluorescent and immunoenzyme) - detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in the patient's body.

The non-specific diagnostic criteria include the presence of a very low level of leukocytes in the plasma against the background of an increased number of lymphocytes.

Therapeutic measures

This is how you can characterize the treatment that is used to confirm the diagnosis, since the main tactics for treating Zik's virus today are not. Effects on the relief of clinical signs are directed.

1. Antipyretics at high temperature indices "Paracetamol"( according to indications);
2. Antihistamines, for relief of itching symptoms - "Tavegil" or "Suprastin";
3. Smoking of intoxication - an expanded mode of drinking clean water without gas( at least 2 liters);
4. Rehydration solutions - "Regidron", "Trisol", "Atoxil".
5. Infusion therapy - drip intravenous solution of "Reopollyuklyukin".

Preventive measures

The initial step in preventive measures against the infection of the virus Zika is the elimination of the source of mosquito congestion. To this end, there should not be open containers with stagnant water near the person's residence( meaning open terraces, private houses, cottages).Elimination of the source of insect accumulation will significantly reduce the risk of infection.

For the same purpose it is necessary to use synthetic repellents, use mosquito nets as a protective barrier. In the epidemic region it is desirable to wear light-colored clothes.

In view of the fact that the virus can be transmitted by blood transfusion, sexual and fetoplacental pathways - careful selection of the donor, condoms and restriction of attendance by pregnant women of endemic regions will help to protect themselves.

The management of an open natural area should be handled by administrative regional bodies.