High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Zika Fever
Michael J. Gonzalez, NMD, DSc, PhD, FACN;1 Miguel J. Berdie,l MD;2 Jorg? R. Miranda-
Massari, PharmD;2 Jorg? Duconge, PhD;1 Joshua L. Rodr?guez-L?pez, BS;3 Pedro A.
Adrover-L?pez, BS 3
?University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Schools of Public Health and Pharmacy, San Juan, PR, 00936-5067
?Berdiel Clinic, Ponce, PR, 00716
3Ponce Health Sciences University, School of Medicine, Ponce, PR, 00716
Abstract
Zika Fever is a viral disease caused by a single-stranded RNA virus from the Flavivirus
genus, Flaviviridae family, from the Spondweni group. Its transmission occurs through
mosquito vectors, principally Aedes Aegypti. !e most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint
pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. As of
now, no vaccine exists for the virus and no official treatment has been developed aside from standard
procedures of the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs.
!is is a case report of a 54 year-old Hispanic female who arrived at the clinic with symptomatology
congruent with the Zika fever. !e patient was treated with high doses of intravenous vitamin C
over three days. !e symptoms resolved after the infusions without any side effects at day four. Recovery
from this viral infection takes normally around two weeks. Based on the positive outcome in
this case, we propose that intravenous vitamin C should be studied further as a potential treatment
for acute viral infections.
