As the number of Zika virus cases continue to rise, this mosquito-borne infection is now considered as a global health threat as the number of cases continues to rise. That's why the World Health Organization recently outlined its expanded list of birth defects and medical conditions associated with Zika virus.
People who are infected by Zika virus don't often manifest any signs of sickness. The reason? The illness is normally mild and most of the infected individuals don't get sick enough to seek medical help or go to the hospital and deaths are rare, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes.
Zika virus, however, can cause severe fetal brain defects like microcephaly during pregnancy. It is also associated with other neurological complications and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
As for its symptoms, Zika virus-infected individuals can have mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache, as per WHO. But how does Zika virus affects toddlers, especially those who are ages five and below?
Zika Virus On Toddlers
According to Romper, toddlers have weaker immune systems compared to adults so it is every important for parents to immediately seek medical advice if they think their kids has been infected with Zika virus.
Since mosquitoes also love summer, parents should amplify their efforts to protect their children from mosquito bites. But parents don't need to worry too much because Zika virus-infected kids should only manifest a mild, flu-like symptoms and scientists are developing a vaccine against the virus, BBC News reports.
Signs And Symptoms Of Zika Virus On Toddlers
Zika virus symptoms on toddlers are usually mild and can only last for a week. These symptoms may include: headache, skin rashes, muscle pains, conjunctivitis or redness of the eyes and fever.
Recommendations For Toddlers Who Are Infected With Zika Virus
As per the advice of health officials, Zika virus-infected toddlers should be given medicines like Tylenol or ibuprofen for headaches or muscle pains. Parents should also ensure that the kids will get plenty of rest but if the symptoms worsen, they should take the children to the nearest hospitals as soon as possible.
WHO Urges To Delay Pregnancies In Zika Virus-Infected Areas
Meanwhile, the WHO has recently urged women in Zika virus-infected areas, particularly in Latin American nations and the Caribbean to delay pregnancy. The suggestion aimed to avoid having babies with birth defects and other medical conditions linked to the virus, The New York Times learns.
Unfortunately, CDC is against WHO's approach, claiming that physicians and the government should not intervene in the personal decisions made by the women or by couples. But WHO stressed delaying pregnancy may be the most ideal strategy to avoid having babies with severe brain damage since there are no Zika virus vaccines currently available and mosquito eradication campaigns appear to be not enough and ineffective.
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