From the Guidelines
Zika virus infection often causes mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, and when symptoms do occur, they typically include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain, which usually last for several days to a week and are generally mild 1.
Symptoms of Zika Virus Infection
The symptoms of Zika virus infection can be similar to those of other mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue fever, and may include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting These symptoms are usually mild and last for several days to a week, but in some cases, Zika virus infection can cause serious birth defects if contracted during pregnancy, and has been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome in rare cases 1.
Management and Prevention
There is no specific medication to treat Zika virus infection, and management focuses on relieving symptoms with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for pain and fever 1.
- Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided until dengue fever is ruled out to reduce bleeding risk.
- Prevention is key through avoiding mosquito bites in affected areas by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and staying in screened or air-conditioned environments.
Diagnostic Testing
For patients with suspected dengue or Zika virus disease, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the preferred method of diagnosis, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody testing can identify additional infections, but interpreting the results is complicated by cross-reactivity, and determining the specific timing of infection can be difficult 1.
Special Considerations
Pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure should be evaluated and managed for possible adverse outcomes, and infants with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy should be evaluated and managed for possible adverse outcomes 1.
From the Research
Zika Virus Symptoms
- The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are fever, arthralgia, maculopapular rash, and conjunctivitis, which can last up to seven days 2.
- Less frequent symptoms include headache, vertigo, myalgia, vomiting, and diarrhea 2.
- It is estimated that approximately 18% of individuals infected with Zika virus will develop symptoms, usually within 3-12 days after infection 2.
- Symptoms are typically mild and self-limited, but Zika virus infection can cause severe neurological complications in adults and congenital Zika syndrome in infants 3.
Transmission and Prevention
- Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, but it can also be transmitted through sexual activity and from mother to fetus during pregnancy 2.
- There is no licensed vaccine or drug to prevent or treat Zika virus infection, but supportive care consisting of rest, hydration, analgesics, antihistamines, and antipyretics is recommended as needed 2.
- Prevention efforts should focus on avoiding mosquito bites, especially when traveling to or residing in areas where transmission is present, and using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and installing screens on windows and doors 2.
Treatment and Management
- Several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, have been shown to inhibit the replication of Zika virus by inducing the degradation of AXL, a key entry cofactor 4.
- These NSAIDs may be a potential treatment option for Zika virus infection, particularly in pregnant women, as they are considered clinically safe 4.
- Investigational drugs, including 20 potential anti-Zika virus agents, are currently being tested in vivo or in clinical trials, but more research is needed to develop effective therapeutic agents 5.