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on the surface the virus appears a whole weakness, which can lead to paralysis if spreading through Central and South
lot more benign than the previous illness- not treated, is an extremely rare compli- America, Mexico, Puerto Rico and,
es we’ve had to fear, Zika is of concern for cation of Zika. Treatment of symptomatic notably, is spreading through parts of
other reasons, and has the potential to Zika is simple: adequate rest, hydration, Miami, Florida. But ever since “going
significantly affect us in the frum commu- eating well, and taking Tylenol to reduce viral,” Zika shows no signs of slowing
nity. Zika is unique in that it travels fever and inflammation. Notably, aspirin down and retiring in Miami. As of late
“under the radar.” While there are little- and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory September, 99 cases of Zika have been
to-no short-term effects, its long-term drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve, Motrin, confirmed in Maryland, 43 of those in the
manifestations can be devastating and and Naproxen should be avoided. Baltimore metropolitan region alone.
come with no warning. Keep in mind that the confirmed cases
The keystone issue of Zika, especially were only tested because of suspicion for
The virus travels the same way other as it relates to the frum community, is the Zika. Given its ability to travel under the
mosquito-borne illnesses do: The mos- concern of birth defects. The virus targets radar, the number of actual people infect-
quito carries the virus, and passes it on to developing brain cells, halting or stunting ed with Zika might be significantly high-
a person through a mosquito bite. The their growth in a developing fetus. One of er, and because Zika virus rarely causes
virus spreads through the person’s blood- the most feared complications of Zika symptoms, anyone carrying Zika from an
stream, and an uninfected mosquito can infection is microcephaly, when the affected area to an unaffected area might
then contract the virus when biting the baby’s skull and brain fail to develop in introduce the virus through a simple
newly-infected person. Zika is also trans- utero. This leads to multiple debilitating mosquito bite.
mitted through intimate contact with an neurological and developmental abnor-
infected person. malities, eye and vision defects, hearing Should You Be Tested?
defects, seizures, and problems with mus- This is where the nitty-gritty (but also
Out of people infected with Zika, 80 cle tone. Recent international studies most important!) part of the article
percent won’t even find out they have it. show a one to13 percent prevalence of comes in. The following is a brief outline,
The other 20 percent will experience microcephaly in infants born to mothers with more information available at
symptoms very similar to those of the flu infected during first trimester. In addition, www.cdc.gov/zika/.
and other viral infections: headache, Zika virus may result in miscarriages and
fever, red eyes, joint pain, and rash. As a stillbirths, lo aleinu. Testing recommendations are com-
side note, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a life- plex, and the following list is by no
threatening syndrome causing muscle Our little friend, Zika, has been
100 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
lot more benign than the previous illness- not treated, is an extremely rare compli- America, Mexico, Puerto Rico and,
es we’ve had to fear, Zika is of concern for cation of Zika. Treatment of symptomatic notably, is spreading through parts of
other reasons, and has the potential to Zika is simple: adequate rest, hydration, Miami, Florida. But ever since “going
significantly affect us in the frum commu- eating well, and taking Tylenol to reduce viral,” Zika shows no signs of slowing
nity. Zika is unique in that it travels fever and inflammation. Notably, aspirin down and retiring in Miami. As of late
“under the radar.” While there are little- and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory September, 99 cases of Zika have been
to-no short-term effects, its long-term drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve, Motrin, confirmed in Maryland, 43 of those in the
manifestations can be devastating and and Naproxen should be avoided. Baltimore metropolitan region alone.
come with no warning. Keep in mind that the confirmed cases
The keystone issue of Zika, especially were only tested because of suspicion for
The virus travels the same way other as it relates to the frum community, is the Zika. Given its ability to travel under the
mosquito-borne illnesses do: The mos- concern of birth defects. The virus targets radar, the number of actual people infect-
quito carries the virus, and passes it on to developing brain cells, halting or stunting ed with Zika might be significantly high-
a person through a mosquito bite. The their growth in a developing fetus. One of er, and because Zika virus rarely causes
virus spreads through the person’s blood- the most feared complications of Zika symptoms, anyone carrying Zika from an
stream, and an uninfected mosquito can infection is microcephaly, when the affected area to an unaffected area might
then contract the virus when biting the baby’s skull and brain fail to develop in introduce the virus through a simple
newly-infected person. Zika is also trans- utero. This leads to multiple debilitating mosquito bite.
mitted through intimate contact with an neurological and developmental abnor-
infected person. malities, eye and vision defects, hearing Should You Be Tested?
defects, seizures, and problems with mus- This is where the nitty-gritty (but also
Out of people infected with Zika, 80 cle tone. Recent international studies most important!) part of the article
percent won’t even find out they have it. show a one to13 percent prevalence of comes in. The following is a brief outline,
The other 20 percent will experience microcephaly in infants born to mothers with more information available at
symptoms very similar to those of the flu infected during first trimester. In addition, www.cdc.gov/zika/.
and other viral infections: headache, Zika virus may result in miscarriages and
fever, red eyes, joint pain, and rash. As a stillbirths, lo aleinu. Testing recommendations are com-
side note, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a life- plex, and the following list is by no
threatening syndrome causing muscle Our little friend, Zika, has been
100 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
