There is no specific medicine for Zika-infected patients. The medical community suggests those with symptoms should:
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Take acetaminophen to reduce pain and fever
- Get plenty of rest
- Take an antihistamine if there is a rash
- Do not take aspirin until dengue is ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding
- If you are taking other medications for other medical conditions, check with your doctor before you add new medications
There is no vaccine for Zika, but scientists are scrambling to develop one.
In August 2016, the National Institutes of Health announced the launch of a clinical trial of a Zika vaccine. It is experimental and being tested in humans for the first time. Volunteers are ages 18-35 in Maryland and Georgia.
Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases predict that a vaccine which is developed to protect against one strain of the Zika virus should be effective any other strain of Zika.
