Zika Virus- Prevention and Control

Zika Virus

The Zika virus is a disease that comes from the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The symptoms commonly include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. There is currently no vaccine that exists to prevent the disease. Prevention for this disease is more reliant on your environment and precautions that can help you avoid the disease. One way is to avoid mosquito bites, which usually occur more during the daytime. When traveling to countries where Zika virus orother viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, take the following steps: wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, stay in places with air conditioning or that use windows and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside, sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites and use insect repellent.

Control once someone has the Zika virus is a critical part to help stop the spread of disease.  Duringthe first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passedfrom an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infectedmosquito can then spread the virus to other people. The virus can be spread through semen from a man to his sex partners, however it is not known how long it is present in semen.  Preventionand control relies on reducing the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes andminimizing contact between mosquito vectors and people by using barriers (suchas repellents, insect screens), reducing water-filled habitats supportingmosquito larvae in and close to dwellings, and reducing the adult mosquitopopulations around at-risk communities. It is imperative for people traveling to high-risk areas to follow perceptions and protect themselves from the disease.

Reducing Stress

Stress can be defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances and may affect everyone differently. Stress is a natural part of oureveryday life. Without any stress, life could lack challenge and excitement,but too much of it can be unpleasant and tiring. Finding a balance is important for individuals and society as a whole to function properly. Too much stress can have a serious impact on an individual’s health and overall well being and tracking health is one way to recognize stress. Money,work and the economy continue to be the most frequently cited causes of stressfor Americans, as they have every year for the past 5 years. In addition, agrowing number of Americans are citing personal health and their family’shealth as a source of stress. By tracking these sorts of statistics, we are able to recognize what triggers society’s stress as a whole.

One of the best ways to deal with stress is to talk about what is bothering you and acknowledge your feelings. Enclosing emotions only leads to more stress and will result in a bigger problem in the future. Talking with friends, family, a counselor, or a member of the clergy about your feelings is a healthy way to relieve stress. Another way to reduce stress is to do something physical. Exercising produces endorphins, which are chemicals that act as natural painkillers, and if your body feels better, so will your mind. One final way to reduce stress is to participate in activities that are social. Engaging with others and doing something enjoyable relaxes you and helps you put your problems and stressors into perspective. Being aware of what stress you have in your life and planning ways to deal with it will significantly reduce the impact stress may have on your life.