[What do we konw about the Zika virus?]

Zika virus (HIV) was first identified in 1947 and upto 2007 the infections in humans have been reported sporadically. Currently, the World Health Organization warns that the rapid spread of the virus Zika in both Americas and an increase in the number of children born with microcephaly in these regions begins to be a serious epidemiological problem. Known ways of spreading this RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family is: with blood, sexual, vertical and even breast feeding. Currently used diagnostic tests are not entirely perfect, as they can detect infections by other viruses in this group but they are available in Poland. The treatment of clinical sings of ZIKV as unusual, flu-like symptoms is symptomatic. Unfortunately, the most dangerous consequences of infection tend to be: a statement of microcephaly in children of mothers bitten by the mosquitoes in the areas of epidemy of Zika and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome. For this reason, doctors of all specialties should have current knowledge of the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and consequences of this infection.