Don't Get The Zika!
That's what we are calling it these days. . . The Zika! It is (almost) summer and I know you want to get out with those kids and soak in all that Vitamin D. Aaaaaaahhhhh! Pure heaven right? Well, don't stay out too long or your going to get "The Zika". I am sure as women of child bearing age you know all about "The Zika" so I will try as clam down as much information as possible before "the BOI" wakes up from his very early nap.
The Zika has been plastered all over the news since the beginning of this year mostly but some in the later part of last year as we, being in Chicago have not paid it too much attention. Mainly, because it is a virus distributed by mosquitoes which we don't see around these parts until May or sometimes as early as April if you are 2012 Chicago. The zika virus was said to have developed in South America cause a mass hysteria of babies with microcephaly observe. . .
The Zika has been plastered all over the news since the beginning of this year mostly but some in the later part of last year as we, being in Chicago have not paid it too much attention. Mainly, because it is a virus distributed by mosquitoes which we don't see around these parts until May or sometimes as early as April if you are 2012 Chicago. The zika virus was said to have developed in South America cause a mass hysteria of babies with microcephaly observe. . .
Taken from website: http://newsyac.com/2016/01/28/how-zika-virus-affects-unborn-babies/
To throw out my nerdy side, the zika virus is formally called the Aedes aegypti virus. This virus is also in the same "playing field" as dengue fever if you can remember that far back in your microbiology notes. While this virus was mainly "mosquito bound" in Brazil in January causing an increase rise in newborns with microcephaly compared with prior years there have been cases where people have transmitted this virus through sexual contact.
From the website: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35368401
This winter the president of Colombia sent out a decree for women to delay family planning. While this virus does little to an established immune system, it mainly affects fetuses as well as immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms can be anything from a small rash to headaches, fever, conjunctivitis, and arthitic pain. ( joint pain) Should these symptoms occur it is necessary that a woman of childbearing years prevent any sexual activity for 6-8 weeks in case of possible pregnancy. While the symptoms are easy to treat there is no vaccine.
So, ladies all you have to do to get "The Zika" is sleep with a man unprotected who has it or get bit by one of those "lucky" mosquitoes. Apparently, a baseball player already got infected with the disease and refuses to attend the 2016 Rio Olympics. Man, last year it was ebola now. . . "The Zika". If that doesn't make matters worse as of today's day of publishing this blog there are NOW three known cases of newborns with microcephaly linked to "The Zika" with the most recent case in New Jersey/ The New York City area.
Here is another article if you haven't googled this yet:
So, what is a girl to do? I am always precautious about reproduction which is why I made a "slip up" at 33 years old. But, I am getting older so a lady should protect herself right? Here is what we are doing to protect ourselves and any "slip ups" should they happen:
1. Get that water out of my house!!!
Hubby and myself have been pretty diligent about removing standing water from the back yard as well as the gutters on our street. As you probably already know they are vacation spots for mosquitoes to breed and most likely are carrying around The Zika. Take a good survey of your area for standing water unless you are in Houston, TX in that case. . . might I recommend Juneau, Alaska?
2. For the Crunchy Mamas, plan to plant.
Selected plants have been known and studied to keep mosquitoes away from the home. We have only a basil plant now but "he" sits right at the back door of our porch and I have yet to see a mosquito but houseflies have been having a ball! Here is a site that retrieved from pinterest in order to have a guide but lemongrass and lavender are also great buys as well as the citronella plant of course.
3. 90's teens and preteens you know the drill. . . No Glove No Love!
Condoms are still reliable sources to protect against viruses through sex. We did that twice and thought it was stupid because we are married and all but we later thought. . . why not! Latex condoms by the way. Sheep skin is more pricey and just won't do the job.
4. Man, you need to protect yourself!
My husband diligently wears mosquito repellent on his skin. He wanted to try the whole, "can I put dryer sheets on my skin." but that idea was squashed. We are in US panic mode!
5. Spray it baby!!! Yeah!
Of course mosquito repellent is great and I had to look up what are some good repellents that would keep away that darn Zika! Here is your list so get to Target, Walmart, CVS, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Piggly Wiggly, Kroeger, Albertsons, Pic n Save, K Mart or any other place near you I have not mentioned after reading:
-We currently use Off! Deep Woods but it contains Deet in it which may not be the best for our 2 and a half year old son. The rest of the others are located here which I was watching the Today show and gathered this information. The site has been updated so I guess there were some on there that were not on there earlier. Here is also a link to an article posted by Cosmo on best bug sprays:
6. You Stay Away!!!!
The case in New Jersey, she traveled to Honduras. Don't go to some of these target areas until you really must go and if you do- protect yourself. Keep repellent on hand and replace every 7 hours or what the container says.
7. Come in when those street lights come on!
My mom used to say that to me when I was a kid but that is the best indicator it is too dark outside. The time when you get the most mosquito bites- in the evening hours.
There is the "perfect seven" list. Whew! I did it while the BOI is sleep. Here are some other links and let me get off here and check and see if he is not dead because I am envious of all that good sleep he has got going on.
WHO article on Zika- great information!
You got more questions? CDC has answers
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