Dengue vs. Zika: Key Differences and Prevention Tips

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness transmitted by the "Aedes" mosquito, specifically the "Aedes Aegypti". The first instance of this virus was in 1947 in Uganda, with it keeping a relatively low profile until 2007, when there was a major outbreak. This virus got a whole lot of publicity in 2015-2016 when it was linked to a slew of birth defects, especially microcephaly (a condition where children are born with smaller-than-normal heads) and a host of other neurological disorders like Guillain-Barre syndrome.

If you somehow contract this virus, the symptoms are mild, including fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis lasting several days to a week. Infected people might also be asymptomatic. Zika spreads primarily through mosquito bites but can be transmitted by sexual contact, blood transfusions, and from mother to baby during pregnancy.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus, so prevention concentrates mostly on avoiding mosquito bites, spraying insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and destroying mosquito bedding sites. Pregnant women should avoid areas with Zika transmission to prevent risks to their foetuses.

Mosquito bites

You see them everywhere. Public enemy number one, the infernal mosquito, spreads this deadly virus. But not any regular mosquito. It is the dreaded Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Then, it spreads the virus to others by biting them when they least expect it. How do you stay safe from the Aedes Aegypti mosquito? Keep your windows and doors tightly shut, and do not allow this mosquito to invade your personal space. Mosquitoes are a menace; the sooner we eradicate them, the better.

Till then, keep yourself free from the mosquito menace and the Zika virus by keeping your living area clean and free of mosquitoes. How do you prevent that from happening? Ensure that there is no stagnant water - stagnant water breeds mosquito larvae. For mosquitoes, finding a stagnant waterbody is like finding prime real estate. Don't allow mosquitoes to breed where you live; you shall be kept safe from the Zika virus.

Sexual Transmission

Another way you can quickly get Zika virus is through sexual transmission, including vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex or anything else. Semen contains this virus, and men can transmit this deadly virus to their partners even if they do not show any active symptoms. Sexual transmission is a legitimate concern, as the virus can affect the foetus.

Hence, watch what you are doing, do not keep multiple sexual partners and make sure you maintain cleanliness to avoid getting this virus. If you are sexually active, consider abstaining for some time. Apart from the Zika virus, it is possible to contract other sexually transmitted diseases as well. Practice safe sex, and you shall be safe from the virus and other STDs.

Mother-to-child transmission

If you are a pregnant woman infected with the Zika virus, there is a high chance that you will pass this virus on to your baby, and that can result in birth defects like microcephaly as well as a slew of developmental issues. Mothers infected with the Zika virus can transmit the same to infants either during childbirth or during breastfeeding. However, this is not so common.

Children born with the Zika virus are again at risk of infecting themselves, as well as other healthy individuals with this deadly virus. For instance, a mosquito can bite a child carrying the Zika virus and then pass it on to someone healthy with one simple bite. If you are pregnant, care must be taken so that you do not transfer this Zika virus to your newborn. Make sure that if you somehow catch this disease, you do not infect the unborn child as well.

Blood Transfusions

While this is a rare occurrence, the Zika virus can be transmitted through blood transfusions. In places with a Zika outbreak, blood donations are often screened to actively reduce the risk of contracting the Zika virus.

If you want to prevent the spread of the Zika virus, you need a combination of strategies to reduce mosquito exposure, stop sexual transmission, and control the mosquito menace. Here are the key ways that you can prevent the transmission of the Zika virus.

Prevent being bitten by mosquitoes

Use insect repellent, and make sure that it has picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Apply this liberally to your exposed skin. Follow the instructions that promote safe use, especially for pregnant women.

Don protective clothing

It's time to bring out those long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes to reduce skin exposure to mosquitoes. Do not allow a single mosquito to settle on your skin and deliver that deadly bite because who knows what that bug is carrying?

Implement mosquito nets

If you live in an area where mosquitoes are active or if you sleep in an area without air conditioning, make sure you sleep under mosquito nets.

Stay in air-conditioned or screened areas

Whenever possible, stay inside or in areas with proper full-blast air conditioning or that have been properly screened to keep mosquitoes out.

Avoid peak mosquito activity

Mosquitoes that transmit the Zika virus are active in the early morning or late afternoon, so take extra precautions during these times.

Do not allow water to stagnate

Mosquitoes love stagnant water. For a mosquito to find a puddle of stagnant water is like you being given access to a fully fitted penthouse. Ensure you regularly empty, cover or treat containers that hold stagnant water, like buckets, tyres, flower pots and birdbaths, to prevent mosquito larvae from developing.

Spray a larvicide

In areas with stagnant water that cannot be eliminated, spray a larvicide or insecticide to kill the larvae before they become adult mosquitoes. Local health authorities might also spray insecticide to bring down adult mosquito populations in areas experiencing a Zika outbreak.

While there is no specific treatment for the Zika virus, there are ways to treat symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

Rest

This is paramount. Ensure you get enough rest.

Fluids

Drink a lot of fluids to keep dehydration away.

Pain and fever

You can resort to OTC medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have pain and fever.

Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Stay away from NSAIDS until you rule out dengue to bring down the risk of bleeding.

Now, what is the difference between Zika and Dengue? Both are mosquito-borne viruses, and both are transmitted primarily by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. However, several significant differences exist, including symptoms, transmission, severity, and long-term effects.

Causes of Zika Virus

The Zika virus is caused by the viral strain of the same name, belonging to the flavivirus family. First identified in Uganda in 1947, it slowly spread to other areas.

Dengue Virus—This is caused by the dengue virus, also a flavivirus. It has four distinct serotypes: DEN -1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. This roughly translates into the fact that people can get dengue up to four times in their lifetime, each time thanks to a different serotype.

Transmission

Zika—It is usually transmitted through the bite of the infected "Aedes Aegypti" mosquitoes, but it can also spread via sexual contact, from mother to fetus, and less commonly through blood transfusions or lab exposure.

Dengue is also spread by the bite of the infected Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes. However, it is not transmitted sexually or from mother to child.

Symptoms

With Zika, the symptoms are mild, or you may even be asymptomatic. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Symptoms start early and last a few days to a week, with people not even realizing they've been infected by the virus.

Dengue has symptoms a little more severe than Zika. They include high fever, terrible headaches, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. Dengue can lead to "Dengue haemorrhagic fever" and "Dengue Shock Syndrome," which can kill you if it isn't treated promptly.

Complications

With Zika, the most common complication is birth defects in babies born to women infected during pregnancy. This causes small head size and other neurological impairments. Zika also causes Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system.

Dengue: If your Dengue is severe, you might contract "Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and "dengue shock syndrome" or DSS, which can result in bleeding, low blood pressure, organ failure and death, especially in people who have previously been infected with dengue with different serotypes.

Incubation period

For Zika, the incubation period (the time from mosquito bite to symptoms) is usually around 3-14 days, with most people developing symptoms 3-12 days after infection.

The incubation period for dengue is usually between 4 and 10 days, with symptoms appearing 4 to 7 days after mosquito exposure.

Diagnosis

To diagnose Zika, you must take a blood test that detects Zika virus, RNA or antibodies. It can be challenging to demarcate this from other mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue—The dengue virus is detected using a separate blood test. Dengue fever has its own symptoms, and severe forms like DHF and DSS require immediate and careful medical evaluation.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Zika. Whatever is done is mostly supportive, with rest, hydration, and pain relief being used to manage symptoms.

Dengue has no specific antiviral treatment. Supportive care includes fluid management. If haemorrhagic fever or shock occurs, immediate medical care is important.

To round off, dengue is more severe than Zika and has a higher risk of complications such as hemorrhagic fever and shock. With Zika, the issue of birth defects like microcephaly might arise, while dengue doesn't cause birth defects. Both are mosquito-transmitted diseases. However, Zika can also spread through sexual contact, which doesn't happen in the case of dengue. When it comes to symptoms, Zika is milder than dengue, which can cause a high fever, unbearable pain and complications like haemorrhage. Needless to say, both warrant treatment, rest and recuperation.