The Emerging Zika Virus Threat: A Guide for Dermatologists

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Apr;18(2):231-236. doi: 10.1007/s40257-016-0243-z.

Abstract

We provide a guide for dermatologists to follow if they encounter patients with a rash and clinical history suspicious of Zika virus infection, including diagnostic testing and management options. We also provide an illustrative case report of a patient from Brazil who was diagnosed with Zika virus infection after presenting with a generalized pruritic rash. One of the most prominent symptoms of Zika virus infection is a cutaneous eruption. As such, it is especially necessary for dermatologists to understand this virus so that they may appropriately recognize this entity as a diagnostic consideration in the clinic. The rash associated with Zika virus infection is most commonly an erythematous maculopapular eruption that presents after an initial 3-4 days of fever, headache, and arthralgia or myalgia. The rash typically lasts for an average of 6 days, and can spread to involve any part of the body, including the face, torso, extremities, palms, and soles.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Brazil
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / complications
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / pathology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / therapy*
  • Dermatologists
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Exanthema / pathology*
  • Exanthema / therapy*
  • Exanthema / virology
  • Fluid Therapy
  • Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Pruritus / pathology*
  • Pruritus / therapy*
  • Pruritus / virology
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • United States
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / complications
  • Zika Virus Infection / pathology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • RNA, Viral
  • Acetaminophen