Should+the+Government+Intervene+and+Prevent+Pregnant+Women+from+Traveling+to+Zika-Infected+Countries?

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=The Birth of the Malignant Virus...Zika!=

The Zika virus has been the topic of conversation over the past two years because of its unfortunate expansion and harmful effects. Although the virus may seem to be fairly new to many people, it originated in the Zika Forest located in Uganda several decades ago. In 1952, a group of scientists discovered an infected sentinel rhesus macaque monkey that suffered with a fever. The primary carrier of this virus is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has transmitted the virus to humans. Due to this event, this has imposed a threat on pregnant women and has caused a birth defect in newborns called microcephaly. The only way to protect healthy unborn babies from this pernicious disease is to allow the government to restrict pregnant women from traveling into Zika-infected areas around the world, such as Brazil and other Latin American countries, the Southeastern parts of the Unites States, and other areas where environment is humid. Because of its rapid spread, it is vital for one to recognize the classic symptoms of the disease, like: These symptoms typically last up to a week and are not significantly noticeable because of its mildness or mistake of noting it as a simple cold or fever. The vectors of Zika are alike of other mosquito-borne diseases,like Dengue. An individual should be tested as soon as one returns from an area where Zika was issued an epidemic.
 * **Fever**
 * **Rash**
 * **Joint pain**
 * **Conjunctivitis (red eyes)**
 * **Muscle pain**
 * ** Headache **



= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =**The Villain of this Epidemic, the Adedes aegypti mosquito, and How to Avoid it**=

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary carrier of this disease and is the reason why so many people become infected with the virus. There are health organizations that advise women and recommend that they do not travel to regions where zika transmission is ongoing. According to an article written by Veronica Sikka, "The rapid increase in the incidence of microcephaly during the virus' recent geographic expansion has caused the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advise pregnant women to consider postponing travel to any area where ZIKV transmission is ongoing." If traveling to high-risk countries is unavoidable, health organizations have recommended safety precautions pregnant women should make. Kelly Lutpton states in an article, "Bite prevention advice should include wearing loose, long-sleeved tops and trousers, preferably treated with an insecticide, such as permethrin, which kills insects on contact." The article also states that "Mosquitos breed in standing water and therefore efforts should also be made to empty buckets, vases or other containers filled with water, as well as clearing any pools of water or piles of rubbish." ** Diagnosis and Treatment **

A diagnosis of Zika consists of a blood or urine test, as well as questions about sexual activity because there have been cases where many have been exposed through Zika by having sexual intercourse with a person potentially infected with Zika. Because there is no cure for the Zika virus yet, it is highly recommended for an infected individual to:
 * **Receive rest**
 * **Take any antifever medication**
 * **Manage the symptoms**
 * **Avoid NSAIDs medications in order for a doctor to rule out Dengue**

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =**Zika Virus Linkage to Life-Threatening Birth Defects**=

The Zika virus is so severe that it has caused several health issues amongst newborn babies whose mothers were infected. When pregnant women become infected with the Zika virus, the effects it has on the baby's brain is very detrimental. Medical studies show that pregnant women who become infected with the virus have an increased chance of having a baby with microcephaly, which is a birth defect that damages developing brain tissue and causes the child's head to grow smaller than the avergae size. The Zika virus also causes anacephaly, which is a condition where a baby is born without a brain. Dr. Peter Hotez explains during an interview with Kara Elam, " So everyone talks about small head and microcephaly, but that is the least of it. When you actually do a cranial ultrasound of these babies there's no brain there." The virus has also been linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is an autoimmune disease. Pregnant are likely suffer with horrific health effects if they become ill with Guilliain-Barre Syndrome, which may also do great harm to the baby. According to the ProQuest abstract, "Between November, 2013, and February, 2014, in French Polynesia, 42 patients presented at hospital with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disease causing acute, or sub acute flaccid paralysis contrasting with reports of five, ten, three, and three in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 respectively." __**Birth Defects Video**__ media type="youtube" key="t-N9mryaVpY" width="598" height="315"

For Additional Information About this Subject Matter:

References Sikka, Veronica. "The Emergence of Zika Virus as a Global Health Security Threat: A Review and a Consensus Statement of the INDUSEM Joint Working Group (JWG)." // Journal of Global Infectious Diseases // 8 (2016) : 4. Web. 27 June 2016.

Lutpon, Kelly. "Zika Virus Disease: A Public Health Emergency of International Concern." // Mark Allen Publishing Ltd // 25 (2016) : 201. Web. 27 June 2016.

Elam, Kara. "Zika Virus: Interview with an Expert." //Texas Public Health Journal// 68 (2016) : 7. Web. 11 July 2016.

Cao-Lormeau, Van-Mai, Alexandre Blake, Sandrine Mons, Stephane Lastere, and Claudine Roche. "Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak Associated with Zika Virus Infection in French Polynesia: A Case-control Study." // ProQuest // 387 (2016) : n. pag. Web. 11 July 2016.

"Symptoms, Testing, & Treatment." //Centers for Disease Control and Prevention //. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 June 2016. Web. 25 July 2016.

Picture References:
Herlin, Beth. // Symptoms of Zika Virus //. 2016. // Wikimedia Commons, // St. Petersburg. // ABC Blog //. Web. 20 July 2016.

Harikrishnan, //Nikhil. Origin & Timeline.// 2016. //The Overlake School//, Redmond. // Zika Talk //. Web. 20 July 2016.

Hotez, Peter, and Murray, Kristy O. //Zika Virus: What Does It Mean For Texas and the Gulf Coast?// 2016. //Baylor College of Medicine//, Houston. //Momentumblog//. Web. 20 July 2016.

Twombly, Matthew. //Aedes aegypti is the Dog of the Mosquito World. It Acts as If It's Man's Bestfriend.// 2016. NPR, Cali.//The Insiders' Guide to St. Barthelemy//. Web. 25 July 2016.

Ogbeche, Danielle. //Zika Virus Can Be Sexually Transmitted-CDC//. 2016. CDC, Nigeria. //Daily Post.// Web. 20 July 2016//.//

Maldarelli, Claire. //The CDC Has Confirmed Zika Causes Microcephaly Birth Defects//. 2016. // CDC, // Manhattan. // Popular Science. Web. // 20 July 2016.

Mulligan, Michelle. //This is What It's Like to Live With the Disease Linked to the Zika Virus//. 2016. Hearst Communications, Midtown Manhattan. //Redbook.// Web. 20 July 2016.

The National. "Zika Confirmed as a Cause of Microcephaly." Online video clip. //YouTube//. YouTube, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 July 2016. __Back to Health and Medicine__ __Back to Home__