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Published on: Jul 09, 2021
4 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Important Questions About Zika Virus Answered

Q: What is Zika?

A: Zika virus disease is caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting up to a week, and many people do not have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects.

Q: How do people get infected with Zika?

A: Zika is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). A pregnant woman can pass Zika to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Also, a person with Zika can pass it to his or her sex partners. We encourage people who have traveled to or live in places with risk of Zika to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika.

Q: What health problems can result from getting Zika?

A: Many people infected with Zika will have no symptoms or mild symptoms that last several days to a week. However, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Current research suggests that Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an uncommon sickness of the nervous system, is strongly associated with Zika; however, only a small proportion of people with recent Zika virus infection get GBS.

Once someone has been infected with Zika, it’s very likely they’ll be protected from future infections. There is no evidence that past Zika infection poses an increased risk of birth defects in future pregnancies.

Q: Should pregnant women travel to areas with a risk of Zika?

A: Pregnant women should NOT travel to areas with Zika outbreaks. Before traveling to other areas with the current or past spread of Zika, pregnant women should discuss their travel plans with a doctor. Travelers who go to places with outbreaks or past or current spread can be infected with Zika. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects.

Q: What can people do to prevent Zika?

A: The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:

Use registered insect repellents Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air-conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.

Zika can be spread by a person infected with Zika to his or her sex partners. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. Condoms include male and female condoms. To be effective, condoms should be used from start to finish, every time during vaginal, anal, and oral sex and the sharing of sex toys. Not having sex eliminates the risk of getting Zika from sex. Pregnant couples with a partner who traveled to or lives in an area with risk of Zika should use condoms every time they have sex or not have sex during the pregnancy.

Q: What are the symptoms of Zika virus disease?

A: The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Many people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms or will have mild symptoms, which can last for several days to a week.

Q: How is Zika diagnosed?

A: To diagnose Zika, your doctor will ask you about recent travel and symptoms you may have and collect blood or urine to test for Zika or similar viruses.

Q: Can someone who returned from an area with a risk of Zika get tested for the virus?

A: Zika virus testing is performed at CDC and some state and territorial health departments. See your doctor if you have Zika symptoms and have recently been in an area with a risk of Zika. Your doctor may order tests to look for Zika or similar viruses like dengue and chikungunya.

Q: What should pregnant women who have recently traveled to an area with a risk of Zika do?

A: Pregnant women who have recently traveled to an area with a risk of Zika should talk to their doctor about their travel, even if they don’t feel sick. Pregnant women should see a doctor if they have any Zika symptoms during their trip or after traveling. All pregnant women can protect themselves by avoiding travel to an area with risk of Zika, preventing mosquito bites, and following recommended precautions against getting Zika through sex.

Q: I am not pregnant, but will my future pregnancies be at risk if I am infected with the Zika virus?

A: Currently, there is no evidence that a woman who has recovered from Zika virus infection (the virus has cleared her body) will have Zika-related pregnancy complications in the future. Based on information about similar infections, once a person has been infected with the Zika virus and has cleared the virus from his or her body, he or she is likely to be protected from future Zika infections.

If you’re thinking about having a baby soon and you or your partner live in or traveled to an area with the risk of Zika, talk with your doctor or another healthcare provider. See Women & Their Partners Trying to Become Pregnant.

Q: How should insect repellents be used on children to prevent mosquito bites and the viruses that some mosquitoes can spread?

A: When using insect repellent on your child always follow label instructions. Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old. Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin. Adults should spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply it to a child’s face.

Q: What should I do if I am sick, or a family member is sick, with Zika?

A: Many people infected with the Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms lasting several days to a week. If you have symptoms of Zika (fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, or muscle pain) and you live in or recently traveled to an area with risk of Zika, you should see your doctor or healthcare provider and tell him or her about your symptoms and recent travel. There is no specific medicine for Zika, but you can treat the symptoms. If you are diagnosed with Zika, protect those around you by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and to prevent sexual transmission of Zika. Because Zika can generally be found in the blood during approximately the first week of infection and can be passed to another person through mosquito bites, help prevent others from getting sick by strictly following steps to prevent mosquito bites during the first week of illness.

Read FAQs

A. No, Zika virus is not spread through casual contact such as shaking hands or sharing food. The primary modes of transmission are through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, sexual contact, and from a pregnant mother to her unborn child. Blood transfusion is a rare mode of transmission, but Zika cannot spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching.

A. If you have symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, or headache and have recently traveled to an area with Zika risk, you should consult your healthcare provider. Your doctor may recommend testing to confirm the presence of the virus. While there is no specific treatment for Zika, managing symptoms with rest, fluids, and pain relievers like acetaminophen is advised. Be sure to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to prevent spreading the virus to others.

A. Couples should take precautions when planning pregnancy after Zika infection. It is recommended that men wait at least six months after symptoms or exposure, and women wait at least two months. This helps minimize the risk of the virus affecting future pregnancies. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance based on your circumstances

Read Blog

Stroke Warning Signs for Indians Over 40: Early Detection Can Save Lives

Introduction

Stroke is a major health issue in India — both as a cause of death and lifelong disability. For people over 40, the risk climbs sharply. The earlier a stroke is recognized and treated, the better the chances of recovery. In this post, we’ll look at the warning signs of stroke especially relevant in Indians over 40, backed by real survey data, the risk factors common in India, what to do, and how to act fast. Understanding these can help you or your loved ones catch a stroke early and reduce damage.

How Big Is the Problem in India, Especially After 40

According to a 2024 study using Global Burden of Disease data, stroke incidence in India has increased from 76 per 100,000 people in 1990 to ??88 per 100,000 in 2021 for all ages.
Stroke incidence and burden are especially high among people aged 50-69 and over 70.
Another study in North India showed that a large number of adults over 45 lacked awareness about warning signs of stroke: nearly 46% didn’t know warning signs.
Among hypertensive patients (~mean age 54) from Western Rajasthan, about 75% recognized at least one stroke symptom like slurred speech or body-weakness, but 25-30% still lacked awareness.

These figures show that though awareness is improving, there is a significant gap in recognition of warning signs among people over 40 — a high-risk group.

Warning Signs of Stroke (What to Look Out For)

In Indians over 40, common symptoms are similar globally, but here are those particularly reported in Indian surveys:

Sudden Weakness or Numbness on One Side
Many people identified “paralysis of one side of the body” or weakness in an arm or leg. In a Tamil Nadu hospital-based survey, 56% of respondents recognized this symptom.
Facial Droop or Deviation
One side of face droops or mouth slants. In the same survey, ~20% noted deviation of the mouth.
Speech Problems
Slurring, garbled speech, or trouble understanding what others are saying. ~16% in that survey recognized speech impairment.
Vision Disturbance
Sudden trouble with sight in one or both eyes (blurring, loss of vision). Awareness of this is lower: about 53% recognized vision disturbances in a Kerala survey.
Loss of Balance, Dizziness, Severe Headache
Sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, confusion, or sudden, severe headache are also warning signs. Surveys show these are less well recognized compared to motor or speech symptoms but still important.

Risk Factors: What Makes Stroke More Likely After Age 40

Understanding risk helps prevention:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) — arguably the biggest factor. Many over-40 Indians have undiagnosed or uncontrolled high BP.
Diabetes Mellitus — often co-exists; increases damage to blood vessels.
Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol / Lipids)
Smoking & Tobacco Use — cigarettes, chewing tobacco.
Alcohol Use
Obesity / Sedentary Lifestyle
Dietary Risks — high sodium, low fruits/vegetables.
Heart Conditions — atrial fibrillation, prior heart disease.
Other — age itself, stress, sometimes air pollution.

Awareness & Knowledge: What Indian Surveys Reveal

In the Rajasthan survey among hypertensive patients (mean age ~54), around 75-80% knew at least one major warning sign (one?side weakness, speech or vision issues), but 25-30% were unaware.
In a community survey in Kerala, 94.2% identified facial weakness, 86.6% speech disturbances, 84.5% limb weakness. But only ~53% recognized vision issues as a symptom.
In a North Indian telephone survey, nearly half the participants (?46%) did not know warning signs.

So even in literate, more urban or health-aware areas, a non-trivial proportion of people over 40 are not fully aware.

Why Early Recognition Matters

Treatments like thrombolysis (clot-busting medications) are time sensitive — often must be given within a few hours (“golden hour”). Delays drastically reduce benefit.
Early hospital arrival, correct diagnosis, and starting therapy quickly can reduce severity, prevent permanent disability, reduce mortality.
Preventing recurrence: once someone has had a stroke (or mini-stroke), risk of further strokes increases. Early intervention (lifestyle, medicines) matters.

What to Do If You or Someone Over 40 Notices These Signs

Don’t Delay — If sudden facial droop, weakness on one side, speech issues, vision trouble, or sudden severe headache occurs, seek emergency medical help immediately (call ambulance / go to hospital).
Note the Time — When symptoms started. Critical for treatment options.
Diagnostic Tests may include CT/MRI brain, ECG, carotid imaging, labs (blood sugar, lipids etc.).
Medical Management — Control high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol; anticoagulants if needed; lifestyle changes.
Rehabilitation — Speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy if deficits remain.

Real Numbers: What Are the Outcomes / Burden

Adjusted stroke prevalence in India is estimated between 84 and 262 strokes per 100,000 in rural areas, and 334-424 per 100,000 in urban areas depending on the region.
Among those aged 55+, stroke rates jump — e.g., in Trivandrum, rate is ~7.1 per 1,000 people per year for 55+, rising to 13.3 per 1,000 for those aged 75+.
The chance of having a stroke after 55 is roughly 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 6 for men in certain studies, though this includes all adults over 55.

Challenges in India

Delays in recognising signs and reaching hospital. Many people don’t know less obvious symptoms.
Low awareness of treatments and golden period for therapy. Surveys show only a small fraction know about clot lysis or emergency window.
Access issues: hospitals with stroke care, imaging etc. may be far. Costs, transport, awareness all barriers.
Comorbidities often unmanaged (hypertension, diabetes).

Prevention: What Indians Over 40 Can Do Now

Regular health checkups: Monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet (low salt, more fruits/veg), active lifestyle, avoid tobacco, limit alcohol.
Stay alert to symptoms: Educate self / family about warning signs.
Emergency planning: Know nearest hospital that handles stroke, keep travel / transport options ready.
Medication adherence: If prescribed (for BP, diabetes, heart conditions), don’t skip.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Stroke warning signs for Indians over 40 are often clear—but awareness is still incomplete. Because stroke risk increases with age, recognizing the early warning signs like sudden weakness, facial droop, speech trouble, vision disturbance, and balance issues can make all the difference.

If you or someone over 40 feels any of these, act fast. Time matters. Go to the hospital immediately.

CTA: If you’re over 40, schedule a stroke risk assessment today — check your blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and get informed about warning signs. A simple health check can save your life or someone you care about.

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