Sandbox:Zika virus infection natural history, complications, and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

Overview

Natural History

  • The symptoms of Zika virus infection usually develop between 3 and 12 days after contraction.[1]
  • Zika virus infection symptoms will usually begin with a mild headache. Within 24 hours, they will progress to include a macropapular rash spread across the face, neck, trunk, upper arms, palms, and soles; fever, malaise, and back pain follow shortly.[2]
  • Without treatment, Zika virus infection symptoms will usually last from 4-7 days[1]
    • The rash is expected to begin to fade after the second day.[2]
    • The fever is expected to break after the third day.[2]

Complications

  • Complications that can develop from Zika virus infection include congenital anomalies such as:[3]
    • Microcephaly
    • Brain lesions
    • Brainstem dysfunction
    • Fetal celebral malformations

Prognosis

  • The prognosis for Zika virus infection is excellent, with the majority of patients experiencing full recovery within 4-7 days of contraction[1].
  • The presence of congenital or neurological complications caused by Zika virus infection can lead to a worse prognosis.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Zika Virus Infection Factsheet for Health Professionals". European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. November 11, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hayes EB (2009). "Zika virus outside Africa". Emerg Infect Dis. 15 (9): 1347–50. doi:10.3201/eid1509.090442. PMC 2819875. PMID 19788800.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Epidemiological Alert: Neurological Syndromes, Congenital Malformations, and Zika Virus Infection. Implications for Public Health in the Americas". Pan American Health Organization. Pan American Health Organization. December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.