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Consider whether Zika virus infection is the underlying cause when at-risk individuals present with maculopapular rash

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Abstract

Zika virus infections are an emerging problem, with the virus being primarily transmitted to humans via the bite of Aedes mosquito. Infection with the Zika virus may be difficult to distinguish from other viral infections, such as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile virus infections. The predominant feature of Zika virus infection is an erythematous maculopapular rash ± a low-grade fever. Although the symptoms of Zika virus infection are generally mild in adults, Zika virus infection during pregnancy is associated with severe consequences to the fetus, including fetal death and microencephaly. The management of Zika virus infections is limited to symptomatic therapies, with the prevention of mosquito bites being an important method to reduce the risk of infection in pregnant women in areas where the Zika virus is endemic.

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The article was adapted from the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 2017;18(2):231:6 [5] by employees of Adis/Springer, who are responsible for the article content and declare no conflicts of interest.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

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Adis Medical Writers. Consider whether Zika virus infection is the underlying cause when at-risk individuals present with maculopapular rash. Drugs Ther Perspect 34, 34–37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-017-0464-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-017-0464-0

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