How to Recover from Zika

Zika outbreaks are common in many countries around the world. According to the CDC, the latest list of countries with outbreaks includes: Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, Barbados, Saint Martin, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Samoa, and Cape Verde.^[1] There is no cure for Zika, but you can use a combination of home measures and medical treatments to help you recover as fast as possible.

EditSteps

EditUsing Home Measures

Stay hydrated.^[2] As you recover from Zika, make sure that you drink plenty of fluids. You can become dehydrated when you have Zika, and having a fever can make dehydration even worse. Drink at least the minimum amount of water each day (8 cups of water per day is recommended as the minimum), if not more.
- Drinking non-caffeinated tea and/or electrolyte sports beverages is also a good way to stay hydrated.
- Stay away from coffee and alcohol as you recover because they will dehydrate you even more.
Rest often.^[3] One of the best and easiest ways to boost the strength of your immune system is to get plenty of rest. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night until you have recovered from Zika.
- You may also want to take a few days off work and avoid any stressful or physically demanding activities as you recover.
- Try some relaxing activities as well such as reading a good book, watching a program on TV, or listening to some soothing music.
Boost your immune system. Since you will be relying on the natural strength of your immune system to fight off Zika, using strategies to boost your immune system may help. Be aware that there are no peer-reviewed studies supporting the use of supplements or vitamins to bolster your immune system. All evidence is anecdotal, so the following may or may not have an effect (but may be worth a try anyway).
- Vitamin C. Take around 500 to 1000 milligrams of vitamin C daily to help boost your immune system.^[4]
- Zinc. The recommended daily intake of zinc for adult men is 11 milligrams and the recommended daily intake for women is eight milligrams.^[5]
- Garlic. Try drinking a tea made from a few cloves of crushed garlic or add a few cloves of minced garlic to your food each day.^[6]
- Echinacea. Drinking a few cups of Echinacea tea daily may help as well. You can also take 300 milligram capsules of Echinacea capsules three times daily.^[7]^[8]

EditUsing Medical Treatments

See a doctor if your symptoms progress. In most cases, medical treatment for Zika is not necessary. You can just stay home and rest until you recover from Zika. However, if you experience any symptoms or pain that you cannot manage on your own, then you should see a doctor right away.
- Since Zika can resemble dengue fever and chikungunya, it is a good idea to see your doctor to confirm your diagnosis as well. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to confirm whether you have Zika or something else.^[9]
Take acetaminophen for pain. ^[10] If you are struggling with symptoms of fever and/or pain (the Zika virus can cause muscle aches and pains), then you can try taking acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen is available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
- The usual dose is 500 to 1000mg every four to six hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Stay away from ibuprofen and aspirin. Note that, until your diagnosis of Zika is confirmed, it is wise to stay away from ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin. If you have dengue fever instead of Zika (both are transmitted via the same type of mosquito), both ibuprofen and aspirin increase your risk of bleeding.^[11]
Look out for complications. As you recover, one thing to be aware of is the potential complications of the Zika virus. In many cases, you will recover within a week or so. However, there can be complications of Zika that you should watch for as you recover. Complications may include:^[12]
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome.^[13] As you recover, look for any unusual signs of numbness or tingling in your feet or lower extremities. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that sometimes follows a virus. It damages the outer coverings of your nerves, leading to numbness or even paralysis. GBS begins in the feet and lower legs, and moves up the body towards the head. This complication is rare, but you should see your doctor as soon as you can if you notice any of these symptoms.
- Microcephaly.^[14] If you are recovering from Zika and happen to be pregnant, there is a possibility that your baby could be born with microcephaly. This is an abnormally small head circumference that is connected with developmental delays, mental retardation and, in the most severe cases, death. If you are pregnant while recovering from Zika, or trying to become pregnant and have visited the above countries and develop symptoms, talk to your doctor to prepare for the possibility of this birth defect.