Zika: The Millennial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)?
Zika is not news. In fact, it hasn’t been news for a long time. As the Director of the CDC tweeted, research on Zika has suffered “50 years of neglect.” Recently, though, we have all paid plenty of attention to the outbreaks, historical and present. Fear of Zika has consumed headlines for months and will likely continue to do so. As the disease spread, so did our concern and speculation - so much so that some are wondering whether or not Zika ought to be considered the millennial sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Like many other deadly diseases, Zika is spread primarily through infected mosquitoes, but it can also be transferred through sexual contact. And though 80% of those infected have no symptoms at all, and the other 20% experience symptoms like a rash or headache, the disease can have a harrowing effect on fetuses. Women who are pregnant, or hoping to be, are avoiding areas surrounding Zika outbreaks. Given the severity of Zika symptoms no one can blame them.
But considering it the millennial’s STI? This label might be warranted. Yes, in the United States, less than 1% of all cases were transmitted sexually. But the vast majority of cases don’t exhibit symptoms, which is an odd combination of comforting and terrifying. On one hand, if you are infected, you aren’t likely to suffer, but you are also more likely to have unprotected sex. And, given that STIs are on the rise, this could spell very bad news for us. If we are using less protection than before this will only lend to the spread of Zika. Many similar viruses were thought to be eradicated, only to emerge from the shadows through sexual transmission.
Furthermore, just because mosquitoes can also transmit the virus doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be concern for this much less prevalent method of transmission. A very vast majority of cases are caused by a mosquito bite, but you shouldn’t ignore the possibility of sexual transmission, especially if you are planning on starting a family soon. Practice safe sex if you have any doubts about you or your partner’s status.
On the other hand, all of this might be enough to scare partners into doing just that. If we begin to practice safe sex more frequently, we could eliminate one avenue of infection. At the very least we could reduce the spread. We should be doing that anyway, considering that other STIs have negative effects on fetuses as well, but maybe we all need a reminder of mortality to put health class into practice.
Now, while you shouldn’t forget the bad, scary point I just made up there, it’s also important to realize that experts say that now isn’t the time to panic. There’s no way to know for sure that Zika won’t become the next HIV, but for now, experts claim that it isn’t likely. Rather, if Zika does become an epidemic, then it’ll be due to the mosquitoes, which will significantly impact herd immunity. Once enough of a population has the antibodies to fight off the virus it will cease to spread. So even if the various public health measures aren’t effective, Zika isn’t likely to become the STI that defines our generation, unless we really let our guard down.
