Zika fever, is also known as Zika virus disease, or is simply referred to as Zika, which is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus.

1. Zika spreads through mosquito bites and also through sexual transmission

Zika virus spreads primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are known to play a role. These mosquitoes are known to bite both during the day and night. Zika is also sexually transmissible. An infected person can pass it on to their partner during sexual acts even if they are not showing any symptoms of an infection.

2. Pregnant women should avoid travelling to areas where there is a risk of Zika

Being Zika infected while pregnant can cause microcephaly and other kinds of brain defects in the baby. Microcephaly is a condition in which the baby's head is significantly smaller than usual, and is a result of abnormal brain development. It is best advised that pregnant women avoid places where Zika infection has been reported.

3. Zika can pass on from a pregnant woman to her fetus

Zika has been linked to causing serious problems in babies including eye defects, loss of hearing, and problems with growth. As discussed before, microcephaly is a serious birth defect of concern among infected babies. Miscarriage and stillbirth are critically associated with Zika. There is also the threat of Guillain-Barre Syndrome resulting from Zika infection.

4. People affected with Zika have mild symptoms, or have no symptoms at all in certain instances

Fever, rashes, muscular pain, red eyes or conjunctivitis, joint pain, and headache are common symptoms associated with Zika.

5. There is no vaccine or specific medicine for Zika

Getting enough rest, keeping yourself hydrated, and taking medications to bring down the fever and pain are the only means to counter the infection.

Please visit 1Health Medical Center in case you need to be tested for Zika virus. Please contact 1Health's contact number to book an appointment.