Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are diseases caused by viruses that have spread very quickly in Brazil and are already found in all states, representing dangerous epidemics. Know more about each one.
What are the differences between Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya?
Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are acute febrile illnesses that manifest within a few days after the mosquito bites. They usually progress quickly and the symptoms disappear within ten days.
The virus usually stays in the patient’s blood for a short time (with exceptions), but if it is bitten by another mosquito during this period, it can be reinfected.
It is important to highlight that the best way to prevent these diseases is to fight the mosquito outbreaks, avoiding their reproduction and thus, the transmission of viruses.
Dengue
The dengue is originally from Egypt, as well as the mosquito vector (the name Aedes aegypti means “hateful of Egypt”).
It has existed in Brazil since the end of the 19th century, with the first cases recorded in Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba. It has become an epidemic that is very difficult to fight because of the vector mosquito.
Dengue has a more serious form that causes death, called hemorrhagic dengue. This type of disease progresses rapidly, produces internal bleeding and can lead to death.
As soon as the symptoms appear, the patient should see the doctor immediately to confirm the suspicion, so that platelet count tests can be done, and to take appropriate care.
It is worth remembering that there is no vaccine to prevent the disease and no specific treatment. In such cases, therefore, rest and plenty of hydration should be done.
Zika
The zika or zika fever is a recent occurrence in Brazil, the first records were between late 2014 and early 2015 in the Northeast. It is originally from Uganda in Africa, where it was detected in Rhesus monkeys in the Zika forest in 1947.
This disease has mild and often nonexistent symptoms, which has caused great concern, especially the occurrence in pregnant women, due to the fact that it is associated with the outbreak of microcephaly in newborns, a neurological condition considered rare.
Another complication of the disease that has already been recorded, but is still under investigation, is an autoimmune reaction called Guillain-Barré Syndrome that causes paralysis.
Like dengue, Zika has no vaccine or specific treatment.
Chikungunya
The first report of chikungunya fever in Brazil was made in 2014, in the north of the country. It is a disease originating in Tanzania, Africa, where it was first detected in 1952.
The name chikungunya means “bent over” in the Makonde language. The diagnosis can be confused with dengue, since they circulate at the same time and the symptoms are similar.
The disease can worsen in older people, or with chronic and autoimmune diseases.
Like dengue and Zika, chikungunya does not have a specific treatment or vaccine for prevention.
What are Arboviruses?
These diseases are called arboviruses because they are caused by viruses, whose replication cycle depends on an arthropod, which in this case is a mosquito, could be Aedes albopictus or Aedes aegypti , which is more popular.
Initially, arboviruses present in Brazil only infected wild animals. This happened because when the female mosquito sucks the blood of an infected animal, she contracts the virus and can transmit it to other animals.
However, the mosquito started to bite humans as well and appreciated human blood. Thus, the diseases spread, traveling with mosquitoes.
Initially, it spread through Africa, then through Asia, until it reached the Americas, where conditions are very favorable and facilitate the spread of diseases.