Does vaginal odor get in the way of your special moments with a loved one? If the answer is yes, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a variety of home remedies that can help get rid of the bad vaginal smell. These remedies are recommended if your vaginal odor isn’t accompanied by itchiness, burning or irritation of the vaginal area. In such extreme cases, you need to see a doctor before trying out any of these remedies. Without further ado, here are the top 10 home remedies that can help you get rid of vaginal odor: Unsweetened Yogurt Besides having a host of general health benefits, yogurt is a great remedy for vaginal odor. It is naturally rich in lactobacillus, which is a healthy bacterium that keeps infections away. The same bacterium is also effective in reducing yeast infection in the vagina, and in a restoration of normal pH level in the vagina, combating or reducing vaginal odor. -You can consume at least two cups of unflavored, unsweetened yogurt every day -You can apply at least a ¼ cup of yogurt on your vagina using a cotton pad. Rub gently and leave it there for some time. Then, wash it off with clean water and pat dry.

Diagnosing Zika can be difficult because the symptoms mimic many different viruses. There are specific serologic studies that can be performed in order to confirm if a patient has Zika. The serologic study most used is the RT-PCR test which stands for Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. This test looks for the actual RNA of the virus within the patient’s blood. The best time to test for this is during the first week of disease because at this time the viral load will be very high. If the virus is not tested for within the first week, then it is better to look for a specific antibody or immunoglobulin (IgM). Looking for IgM antibodies against the Zika can help determine if the patient has been exposed or has the Zika virus; this is done utilizing ELISA. A patient’s urine can also be tested for RRT-PCR if tested within 2 weeks of symptom onset. If the results are positive then this can be confirmatory that the patient does have Zika. Pregnant women should be screened because of the significance the effects may have on the fetus. If any pregnant woman has a history significant for travel to an area in which there is an outbreak of Zika, then they should have an examination which focuses on ensuring that the fetus is healthy and not exhibiting signs of microcephaly.

As discussed above, the Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that in most cases utilizes the Aedes species of Mosquito to transmit the virus to humans via a mosquito bite. A mosquito that is infected by the Zika virus bites a human, and then, in turn, the human becomes infected with the virus. The virus can also be transmitted from human to human through sexual intercourse or may be transmitted from mother to fetus across the placenta. The spread of the Zika may also occur through a blood transfusion as well. While other modes and methods of transfer are still unknown, as more research is performed regarding the virus more methods of transmission may be identified.  A risk factor for transmission is living in an area where there are known outbreaks of the Zika. These areas are deemed high-risk and the mosquitos in those areas can transmit the infection at an increased rate when compared to other areas in the world. If the transmission from sexual intercourse is a major concern, then having unprotected sexual intercourse can increase one’s risk of transferring the Zika virus from partner to partner. It is even recommended that protection via a condom be used during any sexual encounter between women and men who have been exposed to areas where the Zika virus is prevalent.

In healthy, immunocompetent patients, the Zika virus will present as a mild infection with very few symptoms.  The condition will be self-limited and usually resolve without the patient even being aware that they had a virus.  Studies have shown that 80% of individuals affected by Zika virus and infected by the virus do not even experience any signs/symptoms associated with the virus.  While that is the majority of individuals, the other 20% of patients who come into contact with the virus will experience a variance of signs/symptoms.  Some of the more commonly associated signs/symptoms of those infected with the Zika virus include:    Low-grade fever    Fine maculopapular rash    Joint pain    Myalgia    A headache    Conjunctivitis. Recommended Read:  6 All-Natural Antivirals To Boost Your Immunity The maculopapular rash, which is diffusely located all over the body, including the soles of feet and palms of hands, is characteristic of only a few viruses. Arthralgia, which is joint pain, usually occurs in the small joints of the hands and feet. It is common for patients infected with the Zika virus to complain that their hands and feet hurt.  Headaches experienced by patients who have the Zika are classified as Retro-Ocular, meaning the pain is located behind the eyes.  Symptoms can occur for a minimum of 2 days but averagely last approximately 7 days.

The Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus. It is considered to be  enveloped because it has a lipid covering that contains glycoproteins. The genus in which the Zika virus belongs to is known as the Flavivirus. The Zika virus has become more widely known because of its direct effect on the human population recently.  Previously, Zika was most commonly seen in the rhesus monkey in Africa.  Now the Zika virus has spread across many continents and has become a nationally reportable disease in the U.S.A. This virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can affect any person. In many cases, the viral infection is mild and self-limited.  Self-limited means that the virus usually affects the individual for a couple of days and then resolves on its own without causing lasting effects.  In some instances, in which the patient is immunocompromised or in some cases if the individual is pregnant, the Zika virus can have lasting detrimental effects on both the patient and the unborn baby. Recommended Read:  Signs of the Zika Virus The time that it takes for the Zika virus to incubate and cause infection is approximately 3-12 days.  This means that if you are exposed to the Zika virus, it can potentially take up to 12 days for the patient to begin exhibiting signs/symptoms of the virus.