Zika Virus: 6 Things You Need To Know

For many, the Zika virus seems to have come out of nowhere, so what exactly do you need to know about this headline-grabbing pandemic? The virus has hit the headlines recently following the outbreak in South American countries such a Brazil. Described as a "pandemic in progress", one of the most alarming outcomes of the outbreak is the spike in babies being born with microcephaly, a condition that causes stunted skull growth and underdeveloped brains. Up until recently, Zika virus has been something of an unknown to the general public, particularly in the West. So, what are the symptoms, what is being done and what do you need to know?

6. What Are The Symptoms?

For most otherwise healthy adults, contracting the Zika virus is usually far from disastrous. Deaths are extremely rare and the symptoms are manageable. The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection include a mild fever and a reddish skin rash. These will likely be accompanied by conjunctivitis (red, painful eyes), muscle and joint pain, headaches and a general feeling of "being out of sorts". Only around 1 in 4 people infected by the virus will present any symptoms at all, and most people will be completely unaware that they had it. Most cases will only last for around 2-7 days. In rare cases, it can lead to autoimmune complications, but the major concern with Zika virus is the impact that it is thought to have on babies developing in the womb, and it is thought to cause a birth defect known as microcephaly.