The Zika virus has been front-page news. Originating in tropical countries the virus is spreading rapidly and it has been known to cause birth defects.
The Centers for Disease Control have issued a travel advisory for pregnant women traveling to South America, the Caribbean and Polynesia.
New Jersey reported its first case of Zika on January 20th, last week, in a woman who was traveling in Columbia.
What exactly is Zika and what can you do to prevent getting it? Tune in to SMG Radio to hear infectious disease expert Dr. Redentor S. Mendiola, Jr, explain the how's and why's of the Zika virus and what you can do to protect yourself from it.
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What Exactly is The Zika Virus
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Dr. Mendiola has been featured in New Jersey Monthly "Top Doctors" listings.
Learn More about Dr. Rendentor Mendiola
Redentor S. Mendiola, Jr., MD
Redentor S. Mendiola, Jr., MD, believes that caring for patients must include thoughtful consideration for emotional and psychological well-being in addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses. He notes, "Any well-trained physician can prescribe or recommend solutions to problems; but sincere concern for each patients only comes from within."Dr. Mendiola has been featured in New Jersey Monthly "Top Doctors" listings.
Learn More about Dr. Rendentor Mendiola
Transcription:
What Exactly is The Zika Virus
Melanie Cole (Host): The Zika virus has been front page news. Originating in tropical countries, the virus is spreading rapidly and has been known to cause birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control has issued a travel advisory for pregnant women traveling to South America, the Caribbean, Polynesia and some more. New Jersey reported its first case of Zika on January 20 in a woman who had been traveling to Colombia. What exactly is this virus and what can you do to prevent getting it? My guest today is Dr. Redentor Mendiola, Jr. He’s a travel medicine and infectious disease specialist at Summit Medical Group. Welcome to the show, Dr. Mendiola. Tell us, what is the Zika virus?
Dr. Redentor Mendiola (Guest): Hi, Melanie. Good afternoon. The Zika virus, which is now all over the news, is basically what they call a “flavivirus,” which is related to more commonly known viruses such as Dengue, West Nile virus, Yellow Fever and Japanese Encephalitis. This, actually, has been around for decades but the first human diagnosis was made in 1968 and, as most of us know now, it’s becoming hot news because of it being linked with congenital defects. You already mentioned this being found in South and Central American countries, now also in the Caribbean.
Melanie: So, it’s being linked to birth defects. What are we finding out that it’s doing?
Dr. Mendiola: Well, this primarily was noticed in Brazil wherein they had thousands of kids with microcephaly or a shorter, smaller head circumference of the infants. They found that there are some of these cases wherein they also detected the presence of the virus. However, there’s really no strong correlation right now. Studies are still being done at this point, but it is an area of concern, especially in pregnant women visiting areas that the virus may be present.
Melanie: Now, these women—some of the women of child-bearing age—are even in this warning. Dr. Mendiola, people go on cruises and they go to some of these places where this virus is being detected. What do you want them to know about it? So, they shouldn’t even go there? Or, can they go there and use mosquito repellant like crazy? What are we supposed to do?
Dr. Mendiola: Well, right now, as per the CDC, the interim recommendations are for pregnant women, especially those in their first trimester, to actual avoid these countries wherein the virus has been detected. Now, if it’s unavoidable, then the most that can be done, really, is applying appropriate insect repellants, but, as I said, if they can avoid going to these countries, that would be the best for them.
Melanie: So, when a mosquito transmits a virus, what are you doctors looking for as far as symptoms? I mean, people get mosquito bites all the time. What are we supposed to do if we get bit by a mosquito? What kind of symptoms do we look for?
Dr. Mendiola: Well, I always counsel my travelers that if they get bit by a mosquito, that they really do not have to panic because not all mosquitos are infected. So, just in case they get bit by mosquitos, the signs that have to be looked out for, which, actually, comes out probably within 3-12 days of exposure, would be fever, headache, rash and joint pains In some occasions, vomiting can also be a symptom.
Melanie: Dr. Mendiola, if somebody does have those symptoms and you’ve determined that they do have the Zika virus, what do you do for them?
Dr. Mendiola: Unfortunately, there is really no specific treatment for it at this point. Mainly, it’s going to be what we call “supportive care” with rest, lots of fluids, analgesics and antipyretics. Now, with regards to a pregnant woman with a fetus, the current recommendation would be to do serial ultrasounds in order to monitor for any possible malformation that may be occurring.
Melanie: How long does it take to work itself out of the system?
Dr. Mendiola: Usually, it should be done by two weeks, at the most. For most people, on the average, symptoms really abate with the exception, unfortunately, of joint pain. Some people can have joint pains for a couple of weeks. Otherwise, as I mentioned earlier, there really have not been any fatal cases in adults.
Melanie: So, tell us about some of the countries that you really want people to avoid.
Dr. Mendiola: Well, the more known countries, as I mentioned earlier, are South and Central America and the Caribbean. Some of those are Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, St. Maartan, Venezuela, Puerto Rico. These are the more frequently visited countries by tourists, so these are the places that pregnant women probably should avoid going to while this is going on.
Melanie: Do you think that this is going to start to enter this country a little bit more rapidly? Like, everybody was afraid of West Nile for quite a while. We don’t want to cause a panic with this but you’ve just recently had somebody in New Jersey. So, tell us about some details that you think might happen with this virus.
Dr. Mendiola: Well, the concern about this virus is that right now, there’s really no human-to-human or person-to-person transmission with the exception of pregnancy, like from a mother to fetus. It is transmitted by the mosquitos. So, right now, the fear is that if a lot of cases come into the United States imported, the mosquitos that harbor the virus is, then, actually present in the United States. So, if this mosquito feeds on someone who is infected, then feeds on another uninfected individual, that’s basically how it can potentially be spread.
Melanie: Is there a test that you can do?
Dr. Mendiola: Right now, there is no commercial test. Everything has to go through the CDC. I actually have a case that I saw last Friday wherein we were suspecting it and we had to send the specimen to the CDC but it is not as simple as that because the local government will have to screen the case before they can approve sending the specimen to the CDC. Imagine how inundated they are now because of this supposed outbreak. So, they are screening very strictly on which specimens really need to be tested.
Melanie: So, what about using mosquito repellant just in general and the importance of that as an infectious disease expert?
Dr. Mendiola: Mosquito repellants are always part of the armamentarium that I send out travelers with because, as I said, there are certain mosquito-borne diseases for which vaccines are not available. So, definitely liberal application of mosquito repellant is advised in such areas.
Melanie: In just the last minute, give your best advice about the information people are getting from all angles about the Zika virus; what you really want them to know and why they should come to Summit Medical Group for their care.
Dr. Mendiola: Well, number one, an appropriate travel consultation is probably the best preparation that one could get before traveling. Now, as we mentioned, the most affected here are the pregnant women. Technically, the disease is not fatal, but it is more of a concern about pregnant women who get infected and might have repercussions with congenital malformation with their children, with the infant. The bottom line here is that we are concentrating, really, on pregnant women traveling.
Melanie: And, why should patients come to Summit Medical Group for their care?
Dr. Mendiola: Because here at Summit Medical Group, we have a travel consult service wherein we advise patients appropriately on what to do prior to traveling, especially in more exotic and developing countries. We design the advice based on each individual itinerary, trying to prevent illnesses which can be prevented with vaccines. We also advise about malaria prevention and now such infections such as Zika, Dengue Virus and lastly, we also deal with prevention of diarrhea and how we handle it if someone gets sick.
Melanie: Thank you so much. It’s great information and so important. This is Melanie Cole. You’re listening to SMG Radio and for more information, you can go to SummitMedicalGroup.com. That’s SummitMedicalGroup.com. Thanks so much for listening.
What Exactly is The Zika Virus
Melanie Cole (Host): The Zika virus has been front page news. Originating in tropical countries, the virus is spreading rapidly and has been known to cause birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control has issued a travel advisory for pregnant women traveling to South America, the Caribbean, Polynesia and some more. New Jersey reported its first case of Zika on January 20 in a woman who had been traveling to Colombia. What exactly is this virus and what can you do to prevent getting it? My guest today is Dr. Redentor Mendiola, Jr. He’s a travel medicine and infectious disease specialist at Summit Medical Group. Welcome to the show, Dr. Mendiola. Tell us, what is the Zika virus?
Dr. Redentor Mendiola (Guest): Hi, Melanie. Good afternoon. The Zika virus, which is now all over the news, is basically what they call a “flavivirus,” which is related to more commonly known viruses such as Dengue, West Nile virus, Yellow Fever and Japanese Encephalitis. This, actually, has been around for decades but the first human diagnosis was made in 1968 and, as most of us know now, it’s becoming hot news because of it being linked with congenital defects. You already mentioned this being found in South and Central American countries, now also in the Caribbean.
Melanie: So, it’s being linked to birth defects. What are we finding out that it’s doing?
Dr. Mendiola: Well, this primarily was noticed in Brazil wherein they had thousands of kids with microcephaly or a shorter, smaller head circumference of the infants. They found that there are some of these cases wherein they also detected the presence of the virus. However, there’s really no strong correlation right now. Studies are still being done at this point, but it is an area of concern, especially in pregnant women visiting areas that the virus may be present.
Melanie: Now, these women—some of the women of child-bearing age—are even in this warning. Dr. Mendiola, people go on cruises and they go to some of these places where this virus is being detected. What do you want them to know about it? So, they shouldn’t even go there? Or, can they go there and use mosquito repellant like crazy? What are we supposed to do?
Dr. Mendiola: Well, right now, as per the CDC, the interim recommendations are for pregnant women, especially those in their first trimester, to actual avoid these countries wherein the virus has been detected. Now, if it’s unavoidable, then the most that can be done, really, is applying appropriate insect repellants, but, as I said, if they can avoid going to these countries, that would be the best for them.
Melanie: So, when a mosquito transmits a virus, what are you doctors looking for as far as symptoms? I mean, people get mosquito bites all the time. What are we supposed to do if we get bit by a mosquito? What kind of symptoms do we look for?
Dr. Mendiola: Well, I always counsel my travelers that if they get bit by a mosquito, that they really do not have to panic because not all mosquitos are infected. So, just in case they get bit by mosquitos, the signs that have to be looked out for, which, actually, comes out probably within 3-12 days of exposure, would be fever, headache, rash and joint pains In some occasions, vomiting can also be a symptom.
Melanie: Dr. Mendiola, if somebody does have those symptoms and you’ve determined that they do have the Zika virus, what do you do for them?
Dr. Mendiola: Unfortunately, there is really no specific treatment for it at this point. Mainly, it’s going to be what we call “supportive care” with rest, lots of fluids, analgesics and antipyretics. Now, with regards to a pregnant woman with a fetus, the current recommendation would be to do serial ultrasounds in order to monitor for any possible malformation that may be occurring.
Melanie: How long does it take to work itself out of the system?
Dr. Mendiola: Usually, it should be done by two weeks, at the most. For most people, on the average, symptoms really abate with the exception, unfortunately, of joint pain. Some people can have joint pains for a couple of weeks. Otherwise, as I mentioned earlier, there really have not been any fatal cases in adults.
Melanie: So, tell us about some of the countries that you really want people to avoid.
Dr. Mendiola: Well, the more known countries, as I mentioned earlier, are South and Central America and the Caribbean. Some of those are Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, St. Maartan, Venezuela, Puerto Rico. These are the more frequently visited countries by tourists, so these are the places that pregnant women probably should avoid going to while this is going on.
Melanie: Do you think that this is going to start to enter this country a little bit more rapidly? Like, everybody was afraid of West Nile for quite a while. We don’t want to cause a panic with this but you’ve just recently had somebody in New Jersey. So, tell us about some details that you think might happen with this virus.
Dr. Mendiola: Well, the concern about this virus is that right now, there’s really no human-to-human or person-to-person transmission with the exception of pregnancy, like from a mother to fetus. It is transmitted by the mosquitos. So, right now, the fear is that if a lot of cases come into the United States imported, the mosquitos that harbor the virus is, then, actually present in the United States. So, if this mosquito feeds on someone who is infected, then feeds on another uninfected individual, that’s basically how it can potentially be spread.
Melanie: Is there a test that you can do?
Dr. Mendiola: Right now, there is no commercial test. Everything has to go through the CDC. I actually have a case that I saw last Friday wherein we were suspecting it and we had to send the specimen to the CDC but it is not as simple as that because the local government will have to screen the case before they can approve sending the specimen to the CDC. Imagine how inundated they are now because of this supposed outbreak. So, they are screening very strictly on which specimens really need to be tested.
Melanie: So, what about using mosquito repellant just in general and the importance of that as an infectious disease expert?
Dr. Mendiola: Mosquito repellants are always part of the armamentarium that I send out travelers with because, as I said, there are certain mosquito-borne diseases for which vaccines are not available. So, definitely liberal application of mosquito repellant is advised in such areas.
Melanie: In just the last minute, give your best advice about the information people are getting from all angles about the Zika virus; what you really want them to know and why they should come to Summit Medical Group for their care.
Dr. Mendiola: Well, number one, an appropriate travel consultation is probably the best preparation that one could get before traveling. Now, as we mentioned, the most affected here are the pregnant women. Technically, the disease is not fatal, but it is more of a concern about pregnant women who get infected and might have repercussions with congenital malformation with their children, with the infant. The bottom line here is that we are concentrating, really, on pregnant women traveling.
Melanie: And, why should patients come to Summit Medical Group for their care?
Dr. Mendiola: Because here at Summit Medical Group, we have a travel consult service wherein we advise patients appropriately on what to do prior to traveling, especially in more exotic and developing countries. We design the advice based on each individual itinerary, trying to prevent illnesses which can be prevented with vaccines. We also advise about malaria prevention and now such infections such as Zika, Dengue Virus and lastly, we also deal with prevention of diarrhea and how we handle it if someone gets sick.
Melanie: Thank you so much. It’s great information and so important. This is Melanie Cole. You’re listening to SMG Radio and for more information, you can go to SummitMedicalGroup.com. That’s SummitMedicalGroup.com. Thanks so much for listening.