The Threat of the Zika Virus

The World Health Organization has declared Zika Virus Disease as a global public health emergency.



The major threat of the Zika virus is to a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

If a mother to be is infected with the Zika virus during her pregnancy, her  unborn child becomes infected with that virus. The threat to the child is being born with birth defects linked to the Zika virus. Zika virus disease reportedly carried by mosquitoes has been linked to thousands of babies, having been born with underdeveloped brain

Neither a vaccine nor prophylactic medications are available to prevent the Zika virus infection as of this date.

What is Zika virus? 

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA virus.

Symthoms:   

fever, rash, joint pain, and red eye are said to be the most common symptoms.

How is Zika virus transmitted?

The spread of Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual contact. (New Update )

This information is based on the fact that a person living in the United States has been infected with the Zika Virus Disease through sexual contact with another person, after that individual returned from another country.

The Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily from the bite of a mosquito after it has bitten an infected person who has the Zika Virus: When that same mosquito bites a human being, the Zika virus from the mosquito enters into that person’s blood. This person is now infected with Zika virus. It is fair to say that if this infected person is bitten by non- infected mosquitoes or other insects, this virus is passed on and transmitted to other human beings through bites and skin penetration from these Zika infected species. And now has been discovered to be transmitted from human to human through sexual contact. 

This is the information from those who has been following the cases, of those who have been infected by the Zika virus. At this particular time, some are saying, there is very little information they can give on this virus.

 “Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Aedes mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and feed both indoors and outdoors.  Zika virus can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. We do not know how often Zika perinatal transmission occurs. In the Americas, Zika virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti, but Aedes albopictus mosquitoes can also transmit the virus.”

Here is some helpful information Provided:

CDC recommends that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing (10). If a pregnant woman travels to an area with Zika virus transmission, she should be advised to strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites (11,12). Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite both indoors and outdoors, mostly during the daytime; therefore, it is important to ensure protection from mosquitoes throughout the entire day (13). Mosquito prevention strategies include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–registered insect repellents, using permethrin-treated clothing and gear, and staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms. When used as directed on the product label, insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant women (14,15). Further guidelines for using insect repellents are available online (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites) (11,15).

 written by Ellen J. Barrier

Barrier's Books & Associates
Health Store @ http://barriersbooks.1wp.com/Health-Store

Spread & Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Written by Ellen J. Barrier

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are diseases that can be transmitted  to other human beings by Sexual behavior (anal, oral or vaginal) an infected person can spread the infection to others without actually showing signs of the disease.  

Other Names for Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Venereal  Disease (VD) 

A sexually transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or venereal disease (VD), is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission through sexual behavior.

Diseases & Related Conditions:

          Bacterial Vaginosis - an infection which symptoms include an odorous vaginal discharge. The vaginal odor may be fish like, and grey in color.

1    Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a silent sexually transmitted disease, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. The disease can  affect about three quarters of women and half of men without them knowing they have it.  Parts of the  body  infected:  rectum, urethra, eyes, liver, throat and lungs. In worst cases, it can cause infertility.

        Gonorrhea- a disease affecting the sex organs that is passed on by sexual contact.

    Hepatitis Viral - a group of viral infections that affect the liver . The most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

 Viral hepatitis, is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. An estimated 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis; most do not know they are infected. About 80,000 new infections occur each year.

Herpes (Genital) – a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. It affect the genital and anal regions with painful blisters.

There is no cure for herpes. Treatment can reduce symptoms and decrease the risk of transmission through sexual contact.

HIV/AIDS & STDs: (C.D.C Report)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection- More than 100 types of HPV exist, more than 40 of which can infect the genital area. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic, unrecognized, or subclinical. Oncogenic, or high-risk HPV types (e.g., HPV types 16 and 18), are the cause of cervical cancers. These HPV types are also associated with other anogenital cancers in men and women, including penile, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer, as well a subset of oropharyngeal cancers (404). Nononcogenic, or low-risk HPV types (e.g., HPV types 6 and 11), are the cause of genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Asymptomatic genital HPV infection is common and usually self-limited; it is estimated that more than 50% of sexually active persons become infected at least once in their lifetime (405). Persistent oncogenic HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for development of precancers and cancers.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - PID occurs when certain bacteria, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs.

 Syphilis- Signs and symptoms of syphilis include a firm, round, small, and painless sore on the genitals, anus, or mouth, or a rash on the body, especially on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages.

Trichomoniasis-The infection often has no symptoms although women are more likely than men to get symptoms. You may notice an unusual genital discharge.

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is easy to cure.

Without treatment, trichomoniasis can increase a person’s risk of acquiring HIV.

Other Transmittable Diseases:

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) -  LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by three strains of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The visual signs include genital papule(s) (e.g., raised surface or bumps) and or ulcers, and swelling of the lymph glands in the genital area.  LGV may also produce rectal ulcers, bleeding, pain, and discharge, especially among those who practice receptive anal intercourse.

Pubic Lice Infestation   ("crab") - Pubic lice infestations  are usually spread through sexual contact.

Pubic lice typically are found attached to hair in the pubic area but sometimes are found on coarse hair elsewhere on the body; eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, mustache, chest, armpits, etc.

Scabies - The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.

Scabies can spread rapidly under crowded conditions where close body contact is frequent. Institutions such as nursing homes, extended-care facilities, and prisons are often sites of scabies outbreaks.

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