Zika virus is a life-threatening infection that has severe effects on the health and development of the mother and the baby. This infection is caused by the bite of infectious Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti. The name of the virus comes from the forest named Ziika, originating in Uganda where it was first detected. The risk of getting bitten by Aedes mosquitoes is higher during the day especially in the morning or mostly late in the evening.
Zika virus can be easily passed on from the mother to the fetus leading to several health issues. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact and blood transfusion. When an infected Aedes mosquito bites a pregnant woman, the virus gets dissolved into the bloodstream. It further spreads through various parts of the body and even the immune system. The virus can also cross through the placenta and cause serious harm to the unborn child. It can cause placenta transmission meaning that the virus has now passed through placenta barriers and entered the bloodstream of the fetus.
