Zika%20virus%20infection Treatment

Treatment

Principles of Therapy

There is no specific treatment for Zika virus infection thus, supportive and symptomatic treatment are given
Infected patients should be protected from further exposure to mosquito especially during the first few days of illness in order to prevent the other mosquitoes from becoming infected and to reduce local transmission
Supportive care, which includes bed rest, increased fluid intake and use of analgesic (only when fever and pain are present) are advised
For patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome, optimal care including neurologic exam, vital signs and respiratory function monitoring should be done frequently

Pharmacotherapy

Antipyretics and Analgesics

Paracetamol is used for fever and pain relief
Avoid Aspirin and other salicylates since these may cause gastritis, bleeding and acidosis
Patients are also advised to avoid taking Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until dengue has been ruled out in order to decrease the risk of hemorrhage
- Pregnant women at ≥32 weeks age of gestation (AOG) are advised to avoid taking NSAIDs in order to minimize the risk of having premature closure of the ductus arteriosus

Combined Ag/Ab rapid testing boosts case-finding in COVID-19

Elvira Manzano, 29 Jul 2021

A rapid and affordable test for diagnosing COVID-19 outside the walls of the healthcare units could improve case-finding, contact tracing, and infection control, says an expert during a pre-ECCMID 2021 session.

Tackling multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections in critically ill patients: Challenging the standard approach

Dr. Asok Kurup, Dr. Kenneth Chan, 07 Dec 2020

The rising incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria has become a serious health threat and a major challenge for intensivists. Against a backdrop of high patient mortality and risk factors for infection in intensive care units (ICU), early adequate therapy is of paramount importance. At a recent Pfizer-sponsored symposium, Dr Asok Kurup, Infectious Disease Physician, Singapore presented the implications of MDR gram-negative infections in critically ill patients in Asia, while Dr Kenneth Chan, Respiratory Physician and Intensivist, Singapore highlighted the role of ceftazidime-avibactam (Zavicefta) and shared published real-world data on ceftazidime-avibactam.

Antigen rapid test vs RT-PCR for COVID-19: What you need to know

Pearl Toh, 29 Jul 2021

While RT-PCR is the current gold standard to confirm a SARS-CoV-2 infection, antigen rapid test (ART) for COVID-19 allows for quick detection of SARS-CoV-2 and thus fast triaging of infected patients requiring isolation at the population level, according to studies presented at ECCMID 2021.