Zika Virus: What Community Health Nurses Need to Know Community health nurses face a multitude of challenges as they strive to improve health outcomes in the community and monitor and manage diseases. Valued for their adaptability, ability, and willingness to provide care in many settings, including schools, homeless shelters, and community health clinics, community health nurses provide comprehensive care to their clients wherever the client is located. Perhaps one of the more complex and challenging areas for a community health nurse is that of infectious diseases. With the advent of the Zika virus into the United States, community health nurses must be up to date on the latest studies and recommendations from the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC). Since much of the recent information released centers on the Zika virus and pregnant women, it is imperative community nurses know not only what the virus is, but how it is transmitted, assessment findings, and educating the community on ways to prevent the virus.
Based on the statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 23,000 people in the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico have contracted the Zika virus. Especially, there are more than 2,000 pregnant women, which is especially troubling because the virus can cause birth defects. The CDC estimates that 20 babies in the mainland U.S. and 1 baby in Puerto Rica have been born with birth defects related to Zika. The Zika virus can cause microcephaly – a condition where a baby's head and brain are undersized and underdeveloped – in as many as 13 percent of babies born to women who get infected while pregnant. It is also linked to several other types of birth defects, and to Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. As the result, the deal reached in Congress includes $394 million to help control Zika-carrying mosquitoes and another $397 million to help develop a vaccine against the virus and better tests to help diagnose cases of Zika. There is also $66 million allocated to health care for people affected by Zika in Puerto Rico and other U.S.
Zika Virus Tremetra Whiteside Brown Mackie College SCI1850 Environmental Science Dr. Samuel April 22, 2017 Table of Contents Zika Virus 4 History and Background 4 Environmental Health and Effects 4 Treatments 4 Prevention 5 Conclusion 6 Figures 7 Abstract Zika virus was discovered by scientists in the Zika rainforest in a remote part of Uganda in 1947, in the serum of an infected rheseus monkey. With five thousand two hundred thirty- four known cases of the infectious virus documented in the United States. There is currently no vaccination for the flu like virus. The chief concern of the healthcare administration is to continue to take preventive measures to prevent contracting the virus. Within the same flavivirus family
• A woman who is pregnant can transmit the Zika virus to her baby. Babies who have been infected with the virus can be born with microcephaly, a birth defect that impacts head size and brain development.
As of now, there is no official vaccine for Zika. Instead, a patient that has the contagion must undergo certain treatments. Fortunately, the remedies for the virus are simple and cheap. If infection occurs, it is vital to get an abundance of rest and liquids; medication is also advised to assist in alleviating pain. The treatments for Zika are straightforward because the disease itself is rather mild. In fact, in most reported cases of the virus in the United States, the illness only lasted approximately two to seven days prior to the first set of symptoms (“World Health Organization”). It is evident that the fear associated with the Zika Virus is slightly exaggerated. Currently, there is only one recorded fatality in the United States that is directly related to Zika (“The Washington Post”). This is mainly because first world countries’ medical programs are advanced enough to effectively treat the virus. The standard of living in these countries are also higher compared to third world countries. That is why Zika has claimed a significant amount of lives worldwide; the poor conditions in these countries make it difficult for infected individuals to get proper
How is the Zika virus affecting pregnant women in the United States? A report published Tuesday by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, provided evidence of the risk of birth defects increasing when women are infected in the first trimester. The hypothesis of the report indicated that one in 10 pregnant women with Zika virus in U.S. have babies with birth defects and that there was at least one pregnant woman with a suspected Zika virus infection in every state of the United States. The USZPR includes data of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. This study was in response to the recent outbreak of Zika virus cases worldwide and the concerns of birth defects linked to this virus. Babies infected with the Zika virus are born with small heads, known as microcephaly, a
I have decided to discuss the article “Where's Zika Most Likely in the U.S.? The Answer May Surprise You” by Maggie Fox. There is a lot of concern in the news, throughout the healthcare industry, and the United States about Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and its’ role in the cause and symptoms of the Zika virus. Many factors play into an ideal climate for the mosquitoes. Heat, humidity, and heavy rains in the summertime will provide an ideal climate for them to thrive. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016), “Zika virus spreads to people primarily through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon” (Zika virus, para. 1). However, the fear that there will be a major Zika virus outbreak here in the United States is unsubstantiated at this time. The CDC (2016) notes, “Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the
In the recent article, “Zika outbreak: What you need to know” by the BBC, the World Health Organization released valuable information regarding how to detect the disease, and what steps you can take to prevent it. Some of the common symptoms of Zika are; mild fever, red and sore eyes, headaches, joint pain, and rashes. Death from Zika is rare, but a very uncommon disorder can be caused by Zika called Guillain-Barré syndrome. This disorder will cause temporary paralysis. As of now, there are no drugs or vaccines that will help prevent Zika, but those who have the disease should rest and drink plenty of water. The largest concern regarding Zika is the impact it has on fetuses still developing in the womb. Zika can cause another serious disorder
The appearance and spread of the Zika virus inside the United States has recently made a huge impact on our society and healthcare professionals. The virus is being passed from an infected mother to her unborn child causing severe, life-altering disabilities and defects. More and more cases of the virus
The Zika Virus Throughout the regions of Brazil, Africa, Mexico, and Southeast Asia, the Zika Virus is a major issue because pregnant women and their children are getting bitten causing brain damage and major problems to the child’s life, this happens because of the disease being transmitted by mosquitos. Taking a
The Zika Virus: impacts on Brazil February 1, 2016 the World Health announced a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) that declared the Zika virus was a global health emergency. Brazil being the most affected country in the world right now has cases where pregnant women
What is the Zika Virus? Zika, is a virus that is known to come from a certain species of tropical Mosquitoes (The Aedes Aegypti). As stated before, a pregnant woman who carries the Zika virus can give their unborn child the Zika virus, which can endanger them of Microcephaly. Microcephaly is a form of brain damage or incomplete brain development, which results in an abnormally, under average, sized skull. While, the Zika virus is a serious problem toward infants and newborns, Zika can actually be non harmful towards adults. An adult present with Zika, can have fever for several days, rash, joint pain, and/or itchy red eyes. Yet, if Microcephaly wasn’t formed as an infant, Zika in adults is not a topic of concern.
Have you ever wondered about the zika? If so continue on reading if not are you willing to read a essay on the zika virus. If so I will tell you about the effect it has on the world on a single person and the back round of the zika
There is no denying that the Zika Virus epidemic is more a threat to women than it is to men. While it has yet to be proven, there are already studies pointing to a possible link between the recent Zika outbreak and the increase of babies born with birth defects. Because of the concerns over the safety of women in the midst of the pandemic, the UN has since commented about the issue. According to the global governing agency, it is imperative that women are given access to information, support and treatment should they become pregnant and infected by the disease.
The Zika virus is actually not as new as you might think. It was discovered 70 years ago, but a suspected link between the virus and microcephaly (small head size) in newborns whose mothers had Zika, came to light just recently. What once was a suspected link has been confirmed by the CDC.