Zika virus

The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito and through sexual contact.

1 May 2021 | 5 Min. Reading Time

Overview

The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito and through sexual contact. This mosquito is found in the (sub-)tropics. The infection is often asymptomatic or causes only mild flu-like symptoms. Infection during pregnancy, however, can cause the child to suffer from physical and mental defects. Women are therefore advised not to travel to the tropics while they're pregnant.

Symptoms

Incubation period 3-14 days
Asymptomatic course (in 70% of cases)
More seldom, flu-like symptoms
- Fatigue
- Joint pain and headaches
- Conjunctivitis
- Skin rashes, itching
- Fever

Complications

Paralysis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Limited in time, progressive
Infection during pregnancy
- Premature birth or miscarriage
- Child: microcephaly, i.e. head and brain are too small (causes mental deficiency)

Causes and treatment

Causes

Pathogen
- Zika virus (family of flaviviruses: yellow fever, dengue fever, TBE virus)
- Found in: tropics/sub-tropics
- Epidemic 2015/2016
Transmission
- Bite of mosquito in the Aedes family)
- Pregnancy (via placenta)
- Unprotected intercourse

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible therapies

Identification of pathogen
- Analysis of blood, saliva or urine

Therapy

Treatment of symptoms

What can I do myself?

Mosquito protection
- Light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers impregnated with mosquito repellent
- Mosquito nets
- Mosquito spray
Follow the safer sex rules
- Always use a condom or femidom during sexual intercourse
- Don't get sperm or blood (including menstrual blood) in your mouth, and don’t swallow
Pregnancy (also if planned)
- Women are expressly advised not to travel to affected areas
After trips to the tropics/sub-tropics
- Wait for at least three menstrual cycles before trying to get pregnant
- Men should use condoms for at least 3 months
- Always use condoms until the end of the pregnancy