Morphology: Enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. Family Flaviviridae. Transmitted by Aedes aegypti + A. albopictus mosquitoes; also **sexual transmission** (can persist in semen weeks–months) + **vertical (transplacental)** + transfusion.
Typical drugs
—
Empiric therapy when resistant
No specific antiviral. Supportive care (acetaminophen, fluids); AVOID NSAIDs until dengue excluded (overlapping epidemiology).
Resistance notes
N/A.
Pearls
80% asymptomatic. Symptomatic (20%): low-grade fever, maculopapular rash, arthralgia (small joints), conjunctivitis — usually mild self-limited. Critical concerns: (1) congenital Zika syndrome — microcephaly, brain anomalies, eye defects in prenatally exposed infants; (2) Guillain-Barré syndrome post-Zika infection. Prevention: avoid mosquitoes (DEET, permethrin), avoid travel to active-transmission regions during pregnancy. Sexual transmission: condoms for 2 months (women) / 3 months (men) after exposure; longer if symptomatic. Pregnancy: defer to ID + MFM; serial fetal imaging in confirmed maternal infection. No vaccine currently available.