Zika fever - an acute infectious viral disease that is transmitted by the bite of arthropods, and has a relatively benign course. In recent years this problem has attracted attention due to lung infection, a broad distribution and possible teratogenic effect of the virus on the fetus in infected during pregnancy women.
GENERAL
Scientists suggest that Zika fever - it is a disease that, in spite of the mild course, is dangerous for pregnant women. Women infected during pregnancy, a high probability of having children with microcephaly.
Facts about the disease:
- The first mention of the virus Zika dated 1947, after it was isolated in Uganda from the blood of macaques caught in the woods.
- The aim of the study was to identify the yellow fever, but the infectious agent found belonged to a previously unknown species, so named Zika virus. Name zika translated from the local Aboriginal language literally meaning "thicket".
- Initial identification of the pathogen in humans occurred in 1952, and later isolated cases of the disease in Africa.
- Large outbreak of infections occurred in 2007 on the islands of Micronesia and Polynesia, and in 2016 underwent epidemics of Latin America. Over the next year continents hot climates shaken epidemic.
CAUSES
The causative agent of the disease acts as a virus of the Flaviviridae family.
transmission path:
- a mosquito bite-carrier;
- by blood transfusion;
- during sexual contact with a sick person;
- from mother to fetus through the fetoplacental barrier during pregnancy.
The main route of transmission is considered to be fever Zeke zooantroponozny. Carriers of infection are the mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, which are diurnal and are common in the tropics and subtropics.
The main stages of the development cycle of the pathogen occur in the body of mosquitoes that are infected with the virus during the carrier bite. female mosquitoes when they bite produces a small amount of saliva in the puncture site, along with her pathogen virus enters the body of the new owner.
SYMPTOMS
The incubation period Zika fever is not known exactly, but probably ranges from three days to two weeks. Severe symptoms are present only in 25% of patients remaining disease is asymptomatic.
The first symptoms of fever Zika appear as typical of arbovirus infections.
The main symptoms of the disease:
- weakness;
- fever for a week;
- melkopyatnistaya papular itchy rash that begins with the face and neck, then spreads throughout the body;
- headache, low intensity;
- migrating pain in the joints and muscles;
- swelling of the small joints;
- conjunctivitis;
- intolerance glare;
- yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes.
Increased body temperature can reach 39-40 ° C, it being possible for the two-wave fever Zika, wherein after reduction of body temperature it should rise. The rash progresses during the first three days of illness Zeke and passes after a fever.
Sometimes develop secondary symptoms of internal organ involvement. In this case, the symptoms depend on the affected area of viral infection.
Symptoms of secondary organ damage:
- cerebral;
- focal neurologic;
- damage to the kidneys, and liver;
- bleeding;
- vascular lesions.
DIAGNOSTICS
Manifestations of the disease are common features with other viral infections, common in countries with hot climates. Argue that this is signs of fever Zika, it can only be based on laboratory studies. The most reliable method is the isolation of RNA virus from the blood sample.
Basic Diagnostic Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - the most common method for detecting nucleic acids in an early clinical phase Zika fever. To investigate possible not only blood, but also other fluids (saliva, urine).
- Serological assays are to determine IgM and IgG antibody in blood products. Such a diagnosis is difficult due to possible cross-reactions with other diseases.
- Clinical blood test. Pathogenesis Zika fever occurs on a background of severe leukopenia and lymphocytosis.
TREATMENT
Effective methods of etiological, pathogenetic and pharmacological treatment of the disease Zeke does not exist yet. Specific preventive vaccination is also impossible.
Treatment Zika fever with symptoms such as fever and pain, symptomatic manifestations aimed at arresting fever. As a medical agent in this case is selected on the basis of paracetamol formulations. To prevent dehydration recommend enhanced drinking regime, and for the suppression of itching - antihistamines. With the right approach, the disease is 5-7 days.
COMPLICATIONS
Clinic and diagnosis of fever Zeke hampered by the high incidence of asymptomatic diseases. After outbreaks of infection in 2015, there were reports about the development of neurological and autoimmune complications. This information is not fully understood, so long considered hypothetical.
Probable complications:
- Microcephaly - an abnormal decrease in brain volume and its underdevelopment. The disease is manifested not only in the reduction of the skull, but in the development of imbecility or idiocy.
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome - is the weakness of the muscles, the appearance of back pain, pelvic joints and shoulders. In severe cases, possible paralysis of respiratory muscles and heart rhythm disturbances.
PREVENTION
For the prevention of fever Zeke recommended to use repellents as well as special nets for windows and doors to prevent the infiltration of unwanted insects in the room.
Mosquitoes spread the virus, are particularly active during the day, so in the first place, it is necessary to protect the elderly and children, holidaymakers at this time. In addition, as a preventative measure it is recommended not to visit areas where vectors fever during epidemics. Especially important are the preventive measures for pregnant women.
FORECAST FOR RECOVERY
In most cases, fever Zika ends complete recovery and pass completely. At the moment, there are no data on deaths Zika fever. At the same time, the question of complications with possible intrauterine infection of the fetus is not fully understood, but the women in the region with epidemic spread of the virus is recommended to temporarily refrain from procreation until the results research. Symptomatic treatment during pregnancy, according to experts, can not prevent the infection of the child, so that such preventive measures considered appropriate.
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