In healthy, immunocompetent patients, the Zika virus will present as a mild infection with very few symptoms.  The condition will be self-limited and usually resolve without the patient even being aware that they had a virus.  Studies have shown that 80% of individuals affected by Zika virus and infected by the virus do not even experience any signs/symptoms associated with the virus.  While that is the majority of individuals, the other 20% of patients who come into contact with the virus will experience a variance of signs/symptoms.  Some of the more commonly associated signs/symptoms of those infected with the Zika virus include:    Low-grade fever    Fine maculopapular rash    Joint pain    Myalgia    A headache    Conjunctivitis. Recommended Read:  6 All-Natural Antivirals To Boost Your Immunity The maculopapular rash, which is diffusely located all over the body, including the soles of feet and palms of hands, is characteristic of only a few viruses. Arthralgia, which is joint pain, usually occurs in the small joints of the hands and feet. It is common for patients infected with the Zika virus to complain that their hands and feet hurt.  Headaches experienced by patients who have the Zika are classified as Retro-Ocular, meaning the pain is located behind the eyes.  Symptoms can occur for a minimum of 2 days but averagely last approximately 7 days.

The Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus. It is considered to be  enveloped because it has a lipid covering that contains glycoproteins. The genus in which the Zika virus belongs to is known as the Flavivirus. The Zika virus has become more widely known because of its direct effect on the human population recently.  Previously, Zika was most commonly seen in the rhesus monkey in Africa.  Now the Zika virus has spread across many continents and has become a nationally reportable disease in the U.S.A. This virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can affect any person. In many cases, the viral infection is mild and self-limited.  Self-limited means that the virus usually affects the individual for a couple of days and then resolves on its own without causing lasting effects.  In some instances, in which the patient is immunocompromised or in some cases if the individual is pregnant, the Zika virus can have lasting detrimental effects on both the patient and the unborn baby. Recommended Read:  Signs of the Zika Virus The time that it takes for the Zika virus to incubate and cause infection is approximately 3-12 days.  This means that if you are exposed to the Zika virus, it can potentially take up to 12 days for the patient to begin exhibiting signs/symptoms of the virus.