The Zika Virus Linked to Epilepsy in Babies | Mosquito Control
The Zika virus just keeps surprising us with new and ever worse health problems caused by the disease almost every day now. First it was just a few mild symptoms that couldn’t even be called a full-blown flu. Then we discovered that it causes microcephaly in the unborn children of infected mothers. Now, to add to that almost certain death sentence, scientists have now discovered that it also triggers cases of epilepsy in these infants. What will it come up with next?
We’ve been aware of the devastation the Zika virus can cause for newborn infants of infected mothers for a while now. The virus is confirmed to cause microcephaly in the newborns of mothers that caught it. This is undoubtedly the worst outcome from getting the Zika virus. Babies born to infected mothers have developed severe neurological birth defects, namely microcephaly, in which the infants are born with underdeveloped brains and skulls. This birth defect alone causes severe health and developmental problems in children, often making it necessary for them to have round the clock care for their entire (often short) lives.
Doctors have also begun finding other illness and birth defects emerging that are linked to the Zika virus. The latest one that’s been added to the growing list of horrible health problems for newborn babies the virus causes is epilepsy. Multiple studies have now revealed that these same babies being born with microcephaly are also at serious risk of also suffering from epilepsy and seizures. Doctors claim this isn’t entirely surprising, as the types of brain abnormalities observed in babies affected by the Zika virus have been known to cause epilepsy and seizures in the past. Previous studies of other viruses such as cytomegalovirus that cause similar health issues as the Zika virus also showed higher rates of epilepsy and seizures linked to the virus.
Right now doctors are stressing that the best way to deal with this crisis is to make sure these infants are diagnosed early, and monitored for this new added health issue. Parents that are unaware of the virus’ link to epilepsy could end up having their child misdiagnosed, which could lead to even greater health problems for their child. Researchers insist that right now the best way to fight this new addition is to diagnose these cases with epilepsy and seizures as early as possible.
What other health problems do you think will emerge that are linked to the Zika virus? Will the bad news ever end?
