Many people have asked us lately about what is the zika virus? How is it contagious? And what home and natural remedies can be useful to alleviate it?
The Zika virus is an infectious disease. It was considered that it was only transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito (which also transmits the dengue and other diseases). However, it has recently been discovered that it can also be transmitted through sexual contact and from the pregnant mother to the fetus.
Its name comes from a region of Uganda, Africa where it was first observed (1947) in a Rhesus monkey and then in 1968 it could be detected in humans.
Outbreaks have been reported in the years 1951-81 in Africa and Asia, and in 2007 in Polynesia, where 73 percent of the population were infected.
The fact that the Zika virus is spreading so quickly to different countries in Latin America since it was detected in 2014 is alarming.
It is important to note that 80% of those infected do not manifest the disease. That is, it is asymptomatic. However, the remaining 20% may present the following symptoms:
- Fever below 38.5ºC
- joint pain and muscular
- General tiredness
- Headache, sometimes behind the eyes.
- Conjunctivitis
- vomiting and diarrhea
- Slightly raised skin rash (red spots) that does not itch.
The disease is short-lived, about a week. It bears similarities with other conditions such as dengue and chikungunyaso it is difficult to differentiate them without medical tests.
In pregnant women it has been linked to an alarming increase in the rate of the birth defect known as microcephaly (small head) which can cause mental retardation, as well as delays in speech, movement and growth.
It is also worth noting that there are a small number of people who have had Zika who develop a neurological complication called Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is a serious but rare disease of the peripheral nerves characterized by muscle weakness, tingling, and other paresthesias, with loss of knee jerks.
The cause of this disease is a particular reaction of the body to any viral infection, in this case Zika, in which the same defenses that the body produces against the infection are harmful not only to the virus, but also to the pods or covers that cover the nerves of the patient, in such a way that, although they kill the virus that infects, the patient himself is damaged in his nervous tissue.
folk remedies
Remedy for Zika virus #1: draw up a chicken broth or soup which helps with dehydration in case of vomiting and diarrhea.
Remedy for Zika virus #2 Wash a handful of leaves papaya, extract only the soft and green part, cut into pieces and crush until obtaining a juice. Take this several times a day. This remedy helps to raise the number of platelets
Remedy for Zika virus #3 Make a juice that contains orange, beetroot and carrot which hydrates and relieves joint pain.
Remedy for Zika virus #4 Take Orange juice for strengthen the immune system and thus fight the virus.
Remedy for Zika virus #5 Place several cloves in half a green lemon so that it works as natural repellents.
Remedy for Zika virus #6 Place half a purple onion and the juice of one lemon in a blender and blend for a few moments. You can add a few drops of honey Take this juice 3 times a day. .
Remedy for Zika virus #7 Pour a handful of leaves mango, another of guayabita leaves and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon in a liter of water and boil for 10 minutes. Take throughout the day. This remedy can also be used in cases of dengue or Chikungunya.
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recommendations
Use insect repellents especially near dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. In this sense, you can even treat your clothes with essential oils as a natural repellent. To do this, you should add 10 to 15 drops of each of these essential oils: cedarwood, clove, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemongrass to your clothing with a simple castile soap. Wash your clothes with these as usual. Before you head outside, you can sprinkle several drops of these essential oils around your ankles and wrists, as well as on your clothing (again).
Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
Reduce mosquito breeding sites to prevent its spread and other mosquito-borne viruses. Breeding sites include water-filled habitats, such as plant containers and indoor bathrooms, and outdoor puddles, birdbaths, and standing water. In this sense, it is recommended to use containers with lids and change the water every five days.
Clean the edges of water tanks and pet dishes, with a sponge or cloth to remove possible mosquito eggs. Otherwise, they remain attached to the edges and when they fill with water they release the larvae.
Go to the doctor if symptoms such as fever, headache, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, joint pain, nausea and skin rashes occur, especially in pregnant women.
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