Diagnosing Zika can be difficult because the symptoms mimic many different viruses. There are specific serologic studies that can be performed in order to confirm if a patient has Zika. The serologic study most used is the RT-PCR test which stands for Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. This test looks for the actual RNA of the virus within the patient’s blood. The best time to test for this is during the first week of disease because at this time the viral load will be very high. If the virus is not tested for within the first week, then it is better to look for a specific antibody or immunoglobulin (IgM). Looking for IgM antibodies against the Zika can help determine if the patient has been exposed or has the Zika virus; this is done utilizing ELISA.
A patient’s urine can also be tested for RRT-PCR if tested within 2 weeks of symptom onset. If the results are positive then this can be confirmatory that the patient does have Zika. Pregnant women should be screened because of the significance the effects may have on the fetus. If any pregnant woman has a history significant for travel to an area in which there is an outbreak of Zika, then they should have an examination which focuses on ensuring that the fetus is healthy and not exhibiting signs of microcephaly. Ruling out microcephaly can be done via ultrasound. Continuing to monitor the baby’s head circumference as well as analyzing the amniotic fluid can help to rule out any intrauterine Zika virus active infection. Because the Zika virus is a virus, it makes it quite difficult to treat it. The major treatment currently for Zika virus is supportive care. Supportive care means to treat the symptoms and to prevent any worsening complications that may occur as a result of the virus.
The first portion of supportive care is to ensure that the patient does not become dehydrated by encouraging increased intake of fluids. If the patient is unable to increase their own levels of oral fluids, it may be clinically indicated for the patient to receive IV fluids. Other supportive care includes medications to reduce fever, aches, and muscle or joint pain. OTC Tylenol, for example, is often used to bring down fevers. If there are specific complications that arise then those individual cases will need to be evaluated by a specialist. For example, if the patient experiences complications that affect their eyes, then it is imperative they are evaluated by an Ophthalmologist. If the patient is pregnant and are worried about the effects the virus may have on the fetus, then it is imperative that the mother and fetus be evaluated by an OB/GYN and Neurologist so that any congenital abnormalities can be tested for prior to birth The type of treatment will be based on the type of complication exhibited by the Zika virus.
Recommended Read: Effective tips to protect yourself from the Zika virus