With the Olympics underway in Rio de Janeiro, Zika is still on the forefronts of many people’s minds. In fact, the crowd chanted “Zika” during Team USA’s women’s beach volleyball competition. So what is Zika and how does it affect you? Read below to find out!
What is Zika?
Zika is a virus transmitted by mosquitos that is currently spreading through North America, South America, and the Caribbean. According to the New York Times, the virus was first discovered in Africa in the 1940s and soon spread to Asia. The virus’ first appearance in the Western Hemisphere was confirmed in 2015.
How does Zika affect me?
The Washington Post reports that there are 7,360 confirmed Zika cases in the United States, with 1,817 cased in the continental U.S. and 5,526 cases in U.S. territories. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory for parts of Miami, Fla. due to confirmed Zika cases in the region. This advisory is geared toward pregnant women and partners of pregnant women who may come into contact with mosquitoes in the affected area.
What are the symptoms and how to I treat them?
According to the CDC, the most common Zika symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain, and headaches. Because none of these symptoms become severe, many people with Zika may not know they contracted the infection.
The virus only lasts for about a week and can be treated with over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol.
How can I protect myself?
The CDC lists four ways a person can protect himself or herself from becoming infected:
- Prevent mosquito bites
- Do not travel to places with known outbreaks
- Practice safe sex
- Build a Zika prevention kit
Do you have any additional ideas about staying safe from Zika? Let us know in the comments!
