Matron who she really was. Venerable Matrona of Moscow, biography of the saint
Since the end of 2015 in funds mass media Information about the Zika virus began to appear, which caused some concern, especially after the epidemic of Ebola fever and influenza type A (California or swine flu). An increase in the incidence of Zika fever has been reported in Latin America, Asia and Africa. In January 2016, cases of this disease were registered, in particular in Portugal, Finland, in people who had returned from Asia and Africa the day before.
Etiology (cause) of Zika fever
Zika fever or disease is an infectious disease caused by the Zika virus. It belongs to the genus Flavivirus; its genetic material contains RNA (ribonucleic acid) enclosed in a nucleocapsid (a special protein capsule that protects the viral genome from damage). This virus was first discovered in Central Africa in rhesus monkeys of the Zika forest in 1947. Then he was isolated from people with high temperature. It has also been isolated from humans in the Americas and Asia. Until 2015, only isolated cases of infection were reported.
How is the Zika virus transmitted?
The main route of transmission of the causative agent of an infectious disease is the bite of a mosquito (daytime mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, which live in countries with warm, humid climates) infected with the virus. A mosquito becomes infected when it bites an infected person or rhesus monkey. After the virus enters the mosquito's body, it accumulates in it for 10 days, after which the mosquito becomes infectious. There is also currently evidence of possible sexual transmission of Zika fever.
Pathogenesis (mechanism of development) of pathology
After a mosquito bite, the Zika virus enters dendritic cells, through which it spreads to regional lymph nodes, where viral particles accumulate. Then they enter the blood, leading to the development of intoxication and an increase in body temperature. Within 5-7 days, the immune system begins to develop a specific protective reaction, which leads to a decrease in the number of viral particles in the body and gradual recovery. There are currently no exact data on the duration and specificity of immunity. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, the virus can penetrate the placental barrier into the body of the developing fetus and lead to developmental defects.
Symptoms
After infection with the Zika virus, clinical manifestations do not appear immediately, but within several days. 
The clinical picture of this infectious pathology is characterized by the development of the following symptoms:
- Increased body temperature (fever).
- Headache moderate severity.
- Pain in the joints (arthralgia).
- Fine-grained red skin rash.
- General malaise and weakness, decreased human performance.
Such symptoms usually last up to 5-7 days, then they disappear on their own and leave no residual effects.
Complications
In general, in an adult, the infectious process proceeds without the development of complications. In isolated cases, Guienne-Barre syndrome develops, which is an autoimmune reaction with severe muscle weakness(myasthenia gravis). If a pregnant woman develops Zika fever, the child is born with microcephaly, a developmental defect of the central nervous system that reduces the diameter of the skull and the volume of the brain. Subsequently, such a congenital malformation leads to mental retardation, up to imbecility or idiocy.
Birth defects in children caused by the Zika virus are incurable, so it is important to prevent their development.
Treatment
Special etiotropic therapy aimed at destroying the pathogen has not been developed to date. Treatment for Zika fever involves bed rest, drinking large quantity liquids, as well as taking high-calorie, easily digestible foods with vitamins and proteins. In case of severe headache and joint pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (paracetamol, nimesil, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen) are taken. They can be used only after excluding Dengue fever, in which drugs in this group can provoke bleeding of varying intensity and localization. When executing general recommendations within 5-7 days, the symptoms of the pathology disappear.
How to Avoid Getting Zika Fever
Specific prevention of Zika infection in the form of vaccination has not been developed. Prevention of infection means that it is necessary to take measures aimed at preventing mosquito bites (using repellents, mosquito nets on windows, wearing long sleeves). It is also important during times of increased incidence not to visit countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia where Aedes mosquitoes exist. First of all, pregnant women should avoid such trips, as infection with the Zika virus will lead to the development of birth defects in the child.
Which until recently, namely until 2007, was widespread in the countries of Central and South America and the Caribbean. However, by the end of January 2016, cases of fever had already been reported in North America, as well as in such European countries as Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland. And although all cases of infection in Europe and the United States are considered imported, Zika fever is currently considered an infectious disease spreading across the planet with very high intensity. Although in its clinical manifestations it resembles a cold and is not considered severe, in cases of the disease in pregnant women, it can lead to microcephaly of the fetus.
Causes of the disease
The causative factor of the disease is the Zika virus (ZIKV), which in its structure belongs to RNA-containing non-cellular virions. ZIKV is a representative of viruses of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, and belongs to zoonotic arboviral infections transmitted by two species of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes: Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) - their habitat has already spread to all continents. These insects are extremely aggressive during the daytime. The virus was first discovered in rhesus monkeys in Uganda in 1947. Zika fever is most common in countries with tropical and subtropical climates.
How does infection occur?
The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes, which in turn become infectious when they bite a person already infected with ZIKV. It is possible that infection can occur through a transfusion of contaminated blood. It is believed that sexual transmission of the infection is also possible. Intrauterine infection of the fetus from the mother can occur with the development of brain pathology - microcephaly. At the same time, it has been established that the virus is not transmitted to the baby through mother's milk.
Symptoms of the Zika virus
After being bitten by an infected mosquito, the disease can manifest itself within 3 days to 2 weeks. At the same time, only a quarter of infected people develop pathological symptoms, the rest feel healthy. The main symptoms of Zika fever in humans are:
- low intensity headache;
- itchy rash in the form of blisters on the skin;
- general weakness, malaise;
- pain in muscles and joints;
- swelling of small joints;
- dyspepsia.
Skin rashes occur during the first three days, and elevated body temperature (fever) lasts for about 5 days, after which it returns to normal. In total, Zika disease lasts no more than a week. The rash remains on the body a little longer, but also goes away. The disease has a mild course and is treated on an outpatient basis; hospitalization is extremely rare. To date, no deaths related to the Zika virus have been reported. Most people infected with ZIKV recover completely. However, acute polyradiculoneuritis (Guillain-Barré syndrome) can occasionally complicate the course of the disease, and if the woman was pregnant at the time of infection, severe fetal pathology may occur.
Diagnosis of Zika fever
An accurate diagnosis is only possible using special research methods. This is due to the absence of pathognomonic clinical symptoms and, in general, to its complete absence in most cases. Special diagnostic methods that allow verification of the pathogen include PCR and virological blood testing. Serological diagnosis can give ambiguous results.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Zika fever due to the lack of vaccines and antiviral drugs against ZIKV. Therapy is purely symptomatic and is aimed at relieving fever, pain and itching. Pain and fever are relieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and itching with antihistamines. Bed rest, adequate nutrition, and drinking plenty of fluids are recommended.
Preventing Zika fever
Protection against mosquito bites is considered the most effective means of prevention. To do this, there is a wide selection of repellents, mosquito nets, screens, and clothing. This measure should particularly concern travelers. Pregnant women should not travel to tropical countries in Asia, Africa and America. If a pregnant woman has suffered this infection, then it is necessary to perform an ultrasound scan of the fetus every 3-4 weeks in order to monitor its development and ensure the absence of pathology.
- Consultation with a general practitioner.
- Consultation with an infectious disease specialist.
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ABOUT REGISTRATION OF A CASE OF IMPORTATION OF ZIKA FEVER INTO THE TERRITORY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN Russian Federation The first case of importation of Zika fever was registered. The patient was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Upon arrival in Moscow, no clinical manifestations of the disease were noted; a few days after returning, a deterioration in health, fever, and rash were recorded. Based on the results of a laboratory study using a domestic test system, the Zika virus was detected in the biological fluids of the sick person. On arrival, the entire range of necessary anti-epidemic measures was carried out on the aircraft on which the sick person arrived from the Dominican Republic; there is no threat to the health of passengers.
CLINICAL PICTURE - minor headaches; - general malaise; - an itchy macular or papular rash on the skin (the rash first appears on the face and then spreads throughout the body); - fever; - muscle and joint pain with possible swelling of small joints; - hyperemia and inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis); - pain in the eye orbits; - intolerance to bright light.
In Brazil, 1248 cases of intrauterine fetal damage were reported in 2015. At the beginning of 2016, 7 countries reported an increase in the number of cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is necessary to use barrier methods of contraception during the entire period of stay in endemic countries and for 28 days after returning.
So, a new attack is approaching the Earth - and scientists are once again sounding the alarm. Now we're talking about about a disease that can leave humanity without a future, literally: the Zika virus does not affect its carrier, but its offspring. A day ago, representatives of the World Health Organization published a report according to which the Zika virus is quite serious threat, hanging over the territory of the Western Hemisphere. The situation is further complicated by the fact that there is no trace of a vaccine for the virus itself or a cure for the fever. The Russian Department of Health has also become concerned about the situation. Here's everything you need to know about this terrible disease right now.
Who opened
In general, the virus itself was discovered back in 1947 - scientists identified it in rhesus macaques of the Zika forest, located in Uganda. It wasn't until 2007 (anyone else wants it back?) that the virus caused several outbreaks in Micronesia. Like many other viruses that come to humans from the tropics, this one is carried by mosquitoes. Scientists have also recorded several cases of sexual transmission of the Zika virus - but this is rather an exception to the rule.Zika fever
The virus stays in the blood for several days, after which a fever begins. It is not dangerous for humans: it is easily tolerated, and the symptoms often do not even require the intervention of a doctor. There is no cure or vaccine for Zika.
What's the problem
What worries doctors is not the virus itself, but its consequences. In places where foci of infection have been recorded, microcephalics begin to be born - children with small heads and undeveloped brains. In Brazil, for example, the virus has been raging for several months; scientists have noted a thirty-fold increase in this terrible disease.
New victims
Unfortunately, the fever continues to spread throughout the world. Yesterday, a confirmed case of the disease was discovered in the United States, and this morning the first carrier of Zika fever from Denmark appeared: a man had just completed a long trip to South America, bringing as a gift to his loved ones the opportunity to die a rather unsightly, but unusual death. A real Viking!
What do they do
The government of El Salvador has issued strict recommendations for women: due to the increased risk, they should not have children in the next three years. Brazilian doctors followed the example of El Salvador - in general, a significant decline in the birth rate is expected in many countries in this region. It is a pity, of course, that the mosquitoes did not reach the territory of the Islamic State (banned in Russia).
What will they do with us?
There is also some kind of nasty thing moving around from Latin America, also some kind of virus. Mosquitoes spread it, they, of course, will not fly across the ocean, but infected people can and do fly over... We need to be careful about this. — Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
Pandemic and consequences
The Zika virus has been classified as a pandemic. There is some (generally speaking, quite insignificant) probability that no protection against the virus will be found, and that it will manage to spread throughout the world. This, in principle, could lead to the death of all humanity, since the disease makes the normal reproductive cycle impossible. However, such an outcome is very unlikely, so don’t panic.
