Zika fever was previously thought to be transmitted solely by being bitten by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, recent studies link stronger ties that Zika virus sexually transmitted is also a possibility and must not be overlooked.
The infectious disease known as Zika is a relatively low-grade infection, when present. Symptoms may include joint pain, fevers, red eyes, rashes and headaches. These symptoms may last for seven days.
As of this report, there are no known cases of death caused by the disease during the initial infection. However, a pregnant mother may pass the disease to the unborn child and may cause the baby to have microcephaly, a condition where the brain does not develop properly causing the head to be small.
In adult infection, Zika fever have been linked to the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition where the peripheral nervous system is damaged caused by the immune system thus resulting in rapid-onset muscle weakness. This also affects the respiratory muscles making it hard for the patient to breath thus may be a life-threatening course and may kill.
The primary vector of transmission is the mosquitoes. However in a recent study done at La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology reports that mouse were infected when ZIKV were placed directly on the vaginas, the rodents' reproductive tract were infected.
According to lead researcher at the institute, Sujan Shresta, PhD; this discovery, if applicable to humans, has significant public health implications as reported by Science Daily.
Dr. Shresta went on to state that although if similar mechanisms of infection prove relevant to humans, it is a cause for concern. Zika virus sexually transmitted in humans can have great implications as vaccines are not yet available to prevent the disease.
According to studies conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika virus sexually transmitted occurs in vaginal, oral, anal and sharing of sex toys. Studies are still underway to learn how long Zika stays in the vaginal fluids and semen. It is known however that the virus stays longer in semen than other bodily fluids.
