A Science Article on Zika Virus

                               Fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle and joint pain, malaise, headache – are mild symptoms of the virus and requires no specific treatment. These may not impose alarm to people. Amidst, this plague hides a very concerning threat to the fruit inside a woman’s womb.

                             Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted virus, primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitos are ones who are also responsible for dengue and chikungunya, they usually bite during the day. Symptoms typically pass within a week, but imposes greater danger to infected gravid woman. Some studies show link between Zika virus and neurological disorders or birth defects, such as:

• Microcephaly

A birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to normal babies. Often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome(GBS)

An uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells. Can cause weakness of the arms and legs and, in severe cases, will lead to paralysis and affect function of breathing muscles.

• Eye defects
• Hearing loss
• Dwarfism or shortness in height
• Mental Retardation

                           Transmission of Zika virus sexually, can also be possible. These are ways to prevent Zika virus and ensure a safe pregnancy: