The Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus. It is considered to be enveloped because it has a lipid covering that contains glycoproteins. The genus in which the Zika virus belongs to is known as the Flavivirus. The Zika virus has become more widely known because of its direct effect on the human population recently. Previously, Zika was most commonly seen in the rhesus monkey in Africa. Now the Zika virus has spread across many continents and has become a nationally reportable disease in the U.S.A. This virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can affect any person. In many cases, the viral infection is mild and self-limited. Self-limited means that the virus usually affects the individual for a couple of days and then resolves on its own without causing lasting effects. In some instances, in which the patient is immunocompromised or in some cases if the individual is pregnant, the Zika virus can have lasting detrimental effects on both the patient and the unborn baby.
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The time that it takes for the Zika virus to incubate and cause infection is approximately 3-12 days. This means that if you are exposed to the Zika virus, it can potentially take up to 12 days for the patient to begin exhibiting signs/symptoms of the virus. This also means that if you have been exposed to the Zika virus and have not developed symptoms by 12 days, then more than likely you will not be affected by the virus itself. In these instances, it means that the immune system has fought against the virus and has prevented infection from occurring. Zika virus can range from infected individuals and those individuals not experiencing any symptoms and not even know that they have a virus, to mimicking other viruses that present with rashes.
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How is Zika Virus Transmitted?
One of the many concerns asked by potentially affected populations is how is Zika transmitted? Zika is a single-stranded RNA virus that utilizes a variety of different hosts to grow, such as arthropods and vertebrates. The most common arthropod in which the flaviviruses are transmitted through is the Aedes mosquito. There are many different types of Aedes mosquitos which include the following: Aedes Aegypti, Aedea Africanus, Aedes Luteocephalus, Aedes Albopictus, Aedes Vittatus, Aedes Furcifer, Aedes Hensilli and Aedes apico argenteus. Not only is the Zika virus transmitted through the mosquito, there have been reported cases in which the virus can be transmitted from human to human via sexual intercourse.