
What do I need to know about the Zika virus?
There is no specific medicine for Zika. Symptoms Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. Testing for Zika A blood or urine test can confirm Zika infection. See your doctor or other healthcare provider. Treatment There is no specific medicine for Zika.
What is the treatment for Zika virus?
· Treatment There is no specific treatment for infection with the Zika virus. To help relieve symptoms, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. The over-the-counter (OTC) medication acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) …
What is the pathogenesis of Zika virus?
· There is no vaccine for Zika, and treatment of the viral infection usually involves managing the symptoms because there are no proven antiviral therapies available. To relieve symptoms of the...
How long do Zika symptoms last?
The virus can be transmitted through anal, oral or vaginal sex. Symptoms of this virus are generally mild, with fever, rash and joint pain present. Most people who develop the virus do not have symptoms. For more detailed information about the Zika virus, including symptoms, diagnosis and prevention, visit the Johns Hopkins Health Library.

What is the treatment for Zika virus?
How is Zika treated? Antiviral treatment is being investigated, but there is currently no vaccine or medication available to prevent or treat Zika infection. If you are exhibiting symptoms, get plenty of rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration. You may use acetaminophen for fever.
What is Zika virus and its symptoms?
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day. Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. Symptoms typically last for 2–7 days.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus in adults?
SymptomsFever.Rash.Headache.Joint pain.Conjunctivitis (red eyes)Muscle pain.
What is Zika and is it curable?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus. The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. There is no cure, specific treatment or vaccine for Zika virus. Recently there has been spread of the virus to a number of countries not previously affected.
What are the 5 main symptoms of Zika?
The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected mosquito. Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. Zika can cause birth defects and is linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome.
When do Zika symptoms start?
When symptoms do occur, they usually begin two to 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms usually last about a week, and most people recover fully. Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus most commonly include: Mild fever.
How long does Zika stay in the body?
It's the virus that causes the birth defects, and the virus clears from a person's bloodstream within about two weeks. No virus, no possibility that it can cause birth defects. To learn more, STAT spoke with Dr. Denise Jamieson, a senior member of the CDC's Zika response team.
Can Zika cause death?
Zika virus disease is generally mild, and severe disease requiring hospitalization and deaths are uncommon.
How do you check if you have Zika virus?
A Zika virus test is usually a blood test or a urine test. If you are getting a Zika blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial.
Does Zika have a vaccine?
Although Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is typically self-limiting, other associated complications such as congenital birth defects and the Guillain–Barré syndrome are well described. There are no approved vaccines against ZIKV infection.
Is there any vaccine for Zika virus?
No vaccine or treatment is currently available. As a response to the Zika virus epidemic, the development of a vaccine has emerged as a top priority of the US government. Preclinical work has demonstrated efficacy and human vaccine trials are on-going.
What happens if you get Zika?
A: The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Many people infected with Zika won't have symptoms or will have mild symptoms, which can last for several days to a week.
What happens if you get Zika virus?
A: The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Many people infected with Zika won't have symptoms or will have mild symptoms, which can last for several days to a week.
How is Zika virus transmitted?
Through mosquito bites Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
How does Zika virus affect the body?
Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and is associated with other pregnancy problems. Rarely, Zika may cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person's own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, and sometimes, paralysis.
Where is the Zika virus found?
Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika Forest in Uganda. In 1952, the first human cases of Zika were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
What is the Zika virus?
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. The CDC does not list different symptoms for the Delta variant or others.
Take a self-assessment with CDC
Most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Tiredness
Less common symptoms:
- Aches and pains
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Conjunctivitis
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
Serious symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Loss of speech of movement
Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.
On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days
Learn more at WHO
CDC: Symptoms https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
CDC: Caring for yourself at home https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/caring-for-yourself-at-home.html
WHO: Myth busters https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Can Zika cause a fever?
Infection with the Zika virus is also called Zika, Zika fever or Zika virus disease. Women who are infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage. Zika virus infection during pregnancy also increases the risk of serious birth defects in infants, including a potentially fatal brain condition called microcephaly. ...
Where is the Zika virus found?
Some people have mild fever, rash and muscle pain. In rare cases, the Zika virus may cause brain or nervous system complications, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, even in people who never show symptoms of infection. Infection with the Zika virus is also called Zika, Zika fever or Zika virus disease. Women who are infected with the Zika virus ...
Can you get Zika virus without symptoms?
The mosquito that carries the Zika virus is found worldwide. Stay up to date on Zika virus case numbers on the CDC's Zika virus website. The Zika (ZEE-kuh) virus is most often spread to people through mosquito bites, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Most people infected with the Zika virus have no signs and symptoms.
Can Zika cause a miscarriage?
Most people infected with the Zika virus have no signs and symptoms. Some people have mild fever, rash and muscle pain. In rare cases, the Zika virus may cause brain or nervous system complications, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, even in people who never show symptoms of infection. Infection with the Zika virus is also called Zika, ...
Can you get Zika while pregnant?
Women who are infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage.
Can Zika virus cause birth defects?
Women who are infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage. Zika virus infection during pregnancy also increases the risk of serious birth defects in infants, including a potentially fatal brain condition called microcephaly. Researchers are working on a vaccine for the Zika virus.
Is there any treatment for Zika?
Zika virus infection during pregnancy also increases the risk of serious birth defects in infants , including a potentially fatal brain condition called microcephaly. Researchers are working on a vaccine for the Zika virus. For now, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites and reduce mosquito habitats.
Is Zika a virus?
There is no treatment available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases. Symptoms of Zika virus infection are usually mild. People with symptoms such as fever, rash, or arthralgia should get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines.
Where did the Zika virus originate?
Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage. An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis. Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus ...
How to diagnose Zika virus?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. From the 1960s to 1980s, rare sporadic cases ...
Where was Zika first identified?
A diagnosis of Zika virus infection can only be confirmed by laboratory tests of blood or other body fluids, such as urine or semen.
What is the best way to prevent Zika?
It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. From the 1960s to 1980s, rare sporadic cases of human infections were found across Africa and Asia, typically accompanied by mild illness.
Can Zika cause miscarriage?
Mosquito bites. Protection against mosquito bites during the day and early evening is a key measure to prevent Zika virus infection. Special attention should be given to prevention of mosquito bites among pregnant women, women of reproductive age, and young children.
How to treat Zika virus?
Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage. An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated ...
How to prepare for a trip abroad?
There is no specific treatment for infection with the Zika virus. To help relieve symptoms, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. The over-the-counter (OTC) medication acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may help relieve joint pain and fever. The symptoms of Zika virus infection are similar to other mosquito-borne ...
Why is it important to be prepared for an appointment?
What you can do 1 Write down key personal information. List your international travel history, with dates and countries visited, and medications taken while traveling. Bring a record of your vaccinations, including pre-travel vaccinations. 2 Make a list of all your medications. Include any vitamins or supplements you take regularly. 3 Write down questions to ask your doctor. Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.
What is the cause of Zika?
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.
How long does it take for a person to show symptoms of Zika?
Causes and Risk Factors of Zika Virus Infection. The Zika virus is spread primarily through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes (including the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species). These types of mosquitoes frequently attack in the daytime hours, but they also bite at night.
How did Zika get its name?
As a result, many people don't realize that they're infected. When someone does develop symptoms, it's usually within a week of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Where did the first Zika outbreak occur?
Zika is a virus that is mainly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, though other routes of infection are possible. The virus was named in 1947 when scientists surveilling Uganda's Zika forest for yellow fever (a different viral illness) isolated the virus in samples taken from a rhesus monkey.
How long does Zika last?
In 1952, the first human cases were reported in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika have been documented in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The first outbreak in the Americas occurred in 2015, when the virus spread through Latin and Central America.
Can Zika cause birth defects?
People usually don't get sick enough to require hospitalization, and symptoms last up to a week.
How does Zika spread?
For pregnant women though, a Zika infection is extremely concerning, since it can cause birth defects. According to a CDC report, nearly one in seven babies born to women infected with Zika during pregnancy had health problems such as small head size, brain damage, and vision or hearing impairment. Research suggests that ...
What are the symptoms of Zika?
The Zika virus is spread primarily through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes (including the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species). These types of mosquitoes frequently attack in the daytime hours, but they also bite at night.
What are some interesting facts about Zika?
Symptoms of this virus are generally mild, with fever, rash and joint pain present. Most people who develop the virus do not have symptoms. For more detailed information about the Zika virus, including symptoms, diagnosis and prevention, visit the Johns Hopkins Health Library. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Can a woman get Zika?
Key Facts About Zika Virus 1 Zika virus was first reported in Uganda in 1947, but a Zika virus outbreak was not reported in the Americas until 2015. 2 Symptoms of Zika are mostly mild, with only one in five infected individuals exhibiting any signs of illness. Hospitalization is rare with this infection. 3 Zika can be diagnosed through a blood test. 4 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps an updated list of countries where Zika outbreaks have occurred. Pregnant women should speak to their obstetrician-gynecologist if they must travel to an affected area, as well as take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. 5 There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for Zika.
How do you get Zika virus?
If a woman is bitten by an infected mosquito and becomes infected, Zika can cross into the placenta and affect the fetus. While anyone can contract Zika, pregnant women are the most at risk due to the potential for fetal microcephaly and other neurologic abnormalities. Sexual transmission of this virus can occur.
When was the Zika virus first reported?
The virus can be transmitted through anal, oral or vaginal sex. Symptoms of this virus are generally mild, with fever, rash and joint pain present. Most people who develop the virus do not have symptoms. For more detailed information about the Zika virus, including symptoms, diagnosis and prevention, visit the Johns Hopkins Health Library.
Can pregnant women get Zika?
Key Facts About Zika Virus. Zika virus was first reported in Uganda in 1947, but a Zika virus outbreak was not reported in the Americas until 2015. Symptoms of Zika are mostly mild, with only one in five infected individuals exhibiting any signs of illness. Hospitalization is rare with this infection.
How to avoid Zika virus?
While anyone can contract Zika, pregnant women are the most at risk due to the potential for fetal microcephaly and other neurologic abnormalities. Sexual transmission of this virus can occur. Transmission has been reported from infected men and women to their sexual partners.
Can Zika virus cause birth defects?
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. When inside, use air conditioning or window and door screens. Use condoms or abstain from sex to avoid sexual transmission. Pregnant women: Avoid travel to anywhere that Zika virus is spreading.
How to prevent mosquito bites?
Infection during pregnancy has been shown to be linked to birth defects in babies. Specific areas where Zika Virus is spreading are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time. If traveling, please visit the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most recent travel information.
How do you know if you've been bit?
Here is the best way to avoid mosquito bites and keep from becoming infected with the Zika virus: Use an EPA-registered insect repellent (bug spray): Read the label on the repellent carefully. Do not apply the repellent to hands, eyes or mouth. Do not spray repellent under clothing.
Abdominal Pain (Adults)
Not everyone who is infected will experience symptoms. These are the symptoms that can appear within 2 weeks of being bitten: 1 Fever 2 Rash 3 Joint pain 4 Muscle pain 5 Headache 6 Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain in adults can range from a mild stomach ache to severe pain. Examples of causes of abdominal pain in adults include appendicitis, gallbladder disease, gastric ulcers, pancreatitis, heart attack, kidney stones, diverticulitis, shingles, spider bites, and more.
Fever (in Adults)
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home.
Fever in Children
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin.
Insect Bites and Stings
Fever is defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4 F or 38 C. Fever isn't life-threatening unless it is persistently high - greater than a 107 F rectal temperature. Fever is usually caused by an infection. Treatment focuses on controlling the temperature, preventing dehydration, and monitoring for serious illness.
Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
Insect stings and bites are common. Common symptoms include: pain, swelling, redness, and itching. Treatment of insect stings and bites depends on the type of insect. Some may require home remedies such as anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and in some cases, surgery.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test
Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) refers to a condition that makes the whites of the eyes look pink or red. Causes include colds, allergies, bacteria, fungus, parasites, and eye medications or cosmetics. Less commonly, autoimmune conditions and other rare conditions may be the cause. Pinkeye tends to resolve within five to 10 days.

Overview
- The Zika (ZEE-kuh) virus is most often spread to people through mosquito bites, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Most people infected with the Zika virus have no signs and symptoms. Some people have mild fever, rash and muscle pain. In rare cases, the Zika virus may cause brain or nervous system complications, such as Guill...
Symptoms
- As many as 4 out of 5 people infected with the Zika virus have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin two to 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms usually last about a week, and most people recover fully. Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus most commonly include: 1. Mild fever 2. Rash 3. Joint pain, particula…
Causes
- The Zika virus is most often spread to a person through the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that are known to carry the virus include two aedes species mosquitoes, which can be found throughout the world. When a mosquito bites a person who is already infected with the Zika virus, the virus infects the mosquito. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another perso…
Risk Factors
- Factors that put you at greater risk of catching the Zika virus include: 1. Living or traveling in countries where there have been outbreaks. Being in tropical and subtropical areas increases your risk of exposure to the Zika virus. Especially high-risk areas include several of the Pacific Islands, a number of countries in Central, South and North America, and islands near West Africa. Becau…
Complications
- Women who are infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and stillbirth. Zika virus infection during pregnancy also increases the risk of serious birth defects in infants (congenital Zika syndrome), including: 1. A much smaller than normal brain and head size (mirocephaly), with a partly collapsed skull 2. Brain damage an…
Prevention
- There is no vaccine to protect against the Zika virus. But you can take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus. If you or your partner is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, these tips may help lower your risk of Zika virus infection: 1. Plan travel carefully. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women avoid traveling to areas where there is an outbreak of the Zika virus. If you're tr…
Signs and Symptoms
Complications of Zika Virus Disease
Transmission
Diagnosis
Treatment
- There is no treatment available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases. Symptoms of Zika virus infection are usually mild. People with symptoms such as fever, rash, or arthralgia should get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. Pregnan...
Prevention
Who Response