The virus of Zika was previously considered a very rare exotic disease, affecting the inhabitants of Africa and Southeast Asia. But the development of tourism has led to the rapid spread of this disease, which causes concern for the medical community due to the threat of an epidemic.
Going on a journey, it is important to study in detail how Zik's fever manifests itself - symptoms at the primary stage of pathology and the subsequent nature of its course during progression.
Early signs of infection with the virus Zika
The described virus, belonging to the family Flaviviridae, is transmitted to a person with a bite of an infected mosquito. It is worth noting that only insects of the genus Aedes are dangerous, preferring a habitat with a hot and humid climate.
After biting and infecting the virus passes several stages of development, the incubation period depends on the state of the human immune system and varies within 3-12 days.
The first symptom of this disease is a weak and dull headache. This symptom is usually not associated with the fever of Zik, so the patient does not immediately seek medical help.
It is important to note that this pathology in 70% of cases occurs without symptoms at all and is self-cured for 2-7 days. Development of severe clinical manifestations is extremely rare, in people with a weakened body defense system or chronic autoimmune diseases.
The main symptoms of zik fever
If the disease is still accompanied by severe clinical manifestations, its development is associated with increased headache and general malaise, weakness, drowsiness. Additionally, patients with Zik's virus feel the pain syndrome in the muscles and joints, the vertebral column, orbits of the eyes.
Other specific symptoms:
- fever with fever up to 38.5 degrees;
- intolerance of too bright light;
- inflammation of the conjunctiva;
- redness of small eye vessels;
- swelling of the joints.
Also there are dermatological signs of the virus - first on the face appears papular or macular rash in the form of small, slightly swollen red pimples. They quickly spread to other parts of the body. Eruptions, as a rule, are plentiful and strongly itch. Combing leads to intense irritation, redness of the skin.
In rare cases, an infected person suffers from dyspeptic disorders, such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.
Duration of course and presence of symptoms of zik fever
It has already been mentioned that, in most situations, the pathology considered is quickly cured due to the activity of the immune system. Normally, the disease lasts no more than 7 days.
New macular or papular rashes occur within 72 hours, after which the appearance of pimples stops, and the existing rash gradually disappears. Headache, fever and other concomitant manifestations of the disease can be present for 5 days.
Medical practice shows that the described symptoms are found only in 1 in 5 people infected with the virus Zika.
Diagnosis of this disease is possible only after a laboratory blood test, during which the nucleic acids inherent in the virus are detected. In some cases it is permissible to perform analysis of saliva and urine.
It is worth noting that the informative nature of the study depends on the time elapsed since the discovery of the symptoms of fever. It is advisable to spend it in the first 3-10 days from the onset of the disease.