The Zika virus has captured headlines worldwide for causing serious birth defects, such as babies born with smaller-than-normal heads. This mosquito-borne illness is found mostly in Central and Latin America, but confirmed cases have occurred in several US states, including Texas and Massachusetts, in 2016.
While the main focus has been on pregnant and potentially pregnant women and the virus’ effect on infants, everyone who has exposure to mosquitos is at risk of contracting the disease. As with most illnesses, those at greatest risk are people who have compromised or weakened immune systems, like the elderly, infants, small children and pregnant women.
For most people, the Zika virus manifests similarly to other viral illnesses. The time from exposure to symptoms is not exactly clear, but likely a few days. Symptoms are usually mild, lasting from two to seven days. They include fever, skin rashes, body aches and conjunctivitis (pink/red eyes). In rare cases, the Zika virus has led to more serious neurological disorders known as Guillain-Barre syndrome and meningoencephalitis, also seen in other viral illnesses. Like most viruses, there is no cure and the typical treatment addresses symptom care.
The virus is mainly transmitted to people via bites from an infected mosquito of the Aedes genus. These mosquitos mainly bite during the day with peak hours being early morning and late afternoon or early evening. This same mosquito also transmits other diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Infection may also be transmitted sexually via infected men.
Preventing mosquito bites offers the best protection from this disease. Recommended preventive measures include avoiding travel to affected areas such as Central and South America (including Mexico), some Pacific Islands and much of the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands).
If that’s not possible or you live in an affected area, then consider these precautions:
Wear long clothing, preferably in light colors, to minimize attraction and exposed skin.
Stay indoors during daylight hours, especially during peak mosquito times in the early morning and at dusk.
Use insect repellant.
Hang netting and install window screens.
Destroy breeding grounds. Mosquitos lay eggs in stagnant water, so avoid puddles and pooling water.
Use condoms if sexually active as men infected with the virus can transmit it through sexual contact.
Dr. Grace Chen is a board-certified geriatrician with the highly regarded UCLA Geriatrics Program in Santa Monica and Westwood. For more information, call 310.319.4371 or visit uclahealth.org.
