Contents:
- Medical Video: Another mosquito borne virus! the Keystone virus, Causes Brain Swelling
- Actually, what is the Keystone virus?
- What are the signs and symptoms of the Keystone virus?
- Steps to prevent Keystone virus infection
Medical Video: Another mosquito borne virus! the Keystone virus, Causes Brain Swelling
Hearing the word mosquito, you might immediately think of dengue fever, malaria, or Zika. However, did you know that there is now a new disease that is spread by mosquitoes to humans, and more deadly than the three diseases? This new virus is called the Keystone virus. What are the symptoms of the disease and how severe are the dangers? Here's the explanation.
Actually, what is the Keystone virus?
The Keystone virus is a deadly virus that is thought to be spread by mosquitoesAedes atlanticusto humans. According to a study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, this virus is actually not a new virus.
Just as the name suggests, the Keystone virus was first discovered in Keystone, a city in Florida, United States in 1964. The virus was initially only found in animals such as squirrels and deer in the southeastern United States, so it did not directly spread to humans.
It was only in 2016, a 16-year-old boy from Florida was rushed to hospital after experiencing a fever and rash all over the body due to being bitten by a mosquito. Because it is feared that the Zika virus is affected, the doctor immediately checks the patient's blood sample to determine the cause.
Apparently, the patient's blood sample showed negative results containing Zika virus and other viruses from mosquitoes. University of Florida researchers found that the infection was caused by the Keystone virus. Well, here is the case of the first Keystone infection found in humans.
What are the signs and symptoms of the Keystone virus?
Symptoms of viral Keystone tend to be difficult to detect because it is similar to the symptoms of the Zika virus. Someone infected with the Keystone virus will experience initial symptoms of fever, sore throat, and rash.
The difference with the symptoms of the Zika virus, the rash caused by the Keystone virus does not cause itching. However, this rash tends to spread to almost all parts of the body. Starting from the chest, abdomen, arms, back, to the face.
The symptoms may appear mild, but you should be more aware of this one virus. Because the Keystone virus tends to be more deadly than dengue fever, malaria, even the Zika virus.
A lecturer from the University of Florida, John Lednicky, Ph.D. revealed to Shape that Keystone disease can infect brain cells and cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) in humans. If not treated immediately, this can be fatal and cause death.
Although until now there have not been found cases of inflammation of the brain in humans due to the Keystone virus, but a study has shown that this virus can infect mouse brain cells. So, it is not impossible if this virus can also cause inflammation of the brain in humans.
However, further research is still needed to find out how big the risk of Keystone's disease is to human health.
Steps to prevent Keystone virus infection
Although until now only one case of Keystone virus has been found in humans and has not been found in Indonesia, this does not mean you can feel free from this one virus infection. Instead, you still need to be vigilant and protect yourself from any mosquito bites, especially for those of you who plan to go to Florida where the Keystone virus originated.
Basically, how to prevent Keystone's disease is tantamount to preventing dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. One of the easiest natural ways you can do is to use mosquito repellent plants such as lavender, lemongrass, garlic, geraniums, and so on.
So that your skin is protected from mosquito bites, use long sleeves and trousers every time you move, both inside and outside the home. Most importantly, understand the symptoms of a disease that arises in you.
If you have just realized that you have been bitten by a mosquito and immediately itch, fever, headache, and make you short of breath, immediately consult a doctor before it's too late.
