Zika Virus: What You Need to Know. By Our June Student Pharmacist, Andy Dauner.

June 15th, 2016

Lately, there has been a great deal of news concerning the somewhat mysterious Zika virus. So what is Zika, how do people become infected, and how can you protect yourself?

Zika is a virus carried and spread by a certain type of mosquito (the Aedes species). The mosquitos pick up the virus by biting a person who is already infected and can then spread it to others.

The mosquitos in question usually bite during the day, but are also active at night. In the past, there have been outbreaks of the Zika virus in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Recently, infections have spread to many countries in the Americas, including the United States. As of June 8, 2016, there have been 14 cases of the virus confirmed in Ohio, all of which were linked to travel. No cases in Ohio have resulted from infected people locally spreading the disease.

Zika can be hard to identify, as the symptoms are often mild or nonspecific. In fact, many people with Zika will not have any symptoms at all. The most common symptoms that may appear are fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, and possibly muscle pains or headaches. The disease usually lasts a few days to a week and resolves on its own. However, the virus may remain in the blood for up to a week after symptoms resolve. People who are infected with Zika are rarely sick enough to require hospitalization, but there have been some severe cases reported. The only real treatment for Zika is to properly hydrate and manage a fever or pains with Tylenol (acetaminophen). Other pain relievers such as Motrin (ibuprofen) or aspirin should be avoided.

The main concern with the Zika virus is the effect it can have on pregnant women and their unborn children. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with Zika, she can pass the infection to her baby. This passage of the virus has been linked to several resulting birth defects. The most common defect is a condition called microcephaly which means that the baby’s brain does not develop properly during pregnancy. The baby is born with an underdeveloped and smaller brain. As such, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take special precautions to prevent mosquito bites, especially if travelling. It is also important to note that infected men can spread the virus to women during sexual contact.

Unfortunately, there is not yet a vaccine to protect against the Zika virus. The best method of protection is to take steps to avoid mosquito bites altogether. Mosquitos often lay eggs in areas near standing water such as creek beds or ditches, as well as near buckets or animal dishes holding water. Avoiding these areas and cleaning these containers is a great way to avoid being bitten.

Products to use to prevent mosquito bites include:

DEET Products (e.g. OFF):

Should contain 20-30% DEET.
Follow product direction to know when to reapply.
Safe to use on skin if pregnant.

Permethrin 5% Spray:

NOT for direct use on skin.
Treat clothes 24 hours before desired protection time for best effect.

Using an EPA-approved bug repellent such as OFF! is very effective. Another way to prevent mosquito bites is to treat clothing with permethrin spray which can be bought at many outdoors and sporting stores.

Peak bite times are in the early morning and evening, so taking precautions during these times to prevent bites can greatly help protect against becoming infected.

Keep these recommendations in mind as we move through summer and spend more time outdoors. Remember that the Zika virus may be a great concern for pregnant women, but there are many easy steps that can be taken to protect against infection. Have a safe and happy summer!