In the past six months, the medical community has learned more information about the Zika virus. This article uses information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to answer common questions about Zika. If you have questions or concerns, the CDC website on the Zika virus is updated every few days with additional information, or you can contact your doctor. Here is what what they want pregnant women (and women who may become pregnant) to know.
What is Zika?
Zika is a virus that can be spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. In the past few years, an outbreak occurred in many Caribbean countries, Mexico, and Central and South America. As more and more mosquitoes carried the infection, the outbreak traveled further and further north. In July, the CDC announced that the first cases in the United States of mosquito-to-person transmission were reported in Miami, Florida.
As you've probably heard or read, a Zika infection can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and this infection can cause certain birth defects in babies. These types of birth defects are only thought to occur in babies born to mothers infected with Zika virus, not to babies who get Zika virus after they are born.
What countries currently have mosquito-borne Zika outbreaks?
Areas of the world that have recent reports of active mosquito-borne transmission of Zika include Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, including Brazil.
What are the symptoms of Zika?
The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). In most people, it's a mild illness, with the symptoms lasting a few days to about a week. Those who have Zika don’t usually get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection and no specific treatment. Here is more information about how people can become infected with Zika through infected mosquitoes.
Is Zika in the United States?
Yes, in July 2016, mosquito-to-person transmission was reported in two areas of Miami, Florida, in the southern United States. These areas are Wynwood and Miami Beach. Also, there have been a number of travelers who have gone to Zika-infected countries in 2015 and 2016 and have returned to the United States with the virus after being bitten by a Zika-infected mosquito in a country with an active Zika outbreak. Here is more information about imported cases of Zika.
Will this virus continue to spread?
The CDC says that with the recent outbreaks, the number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely increase. A majority of these cases will not be diagnosed, and these imported cases have resulted in a local spread of the virus in some areas of the United States.
Can I get Zika from someone who is infected?
Yes, sexual transmission from a male partner is possible. Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex.
Pregnant Women and Zika
Can Zika be spread from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy?
Yes, and infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects in babies. The best way to prevent Zika is to prevent mosquito bites. Right now, doctors don't know how likely it is that Zika will affect your pregnancy.
The current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for protecting pregnant women and their male partners from mosquito bites include:
- Using insect repellent with active ingredients of Deet, Picaridin, or IR3535.
- Wearing protective clothes like long-sleeved shirts and long pants and using insect repellent. You can treat your clothing with permethrin. (Permethrin is only intended to be used on clothing, not on skin. You may know that you can use permethrin on your skin for lice or scabies treatment; however, the concentration used for skin treatment and clothing treatment is different, and they are not interchangeable.)
- Mosquito-proofing your home or hotel by using screens on windows and doors, using air conditioning if it's available, and keeping mosquitoes from laying eggs in and near standing water.
I'm pregnant. Should I travel to a place that has an active Zika outbreak?
Until more is known, the CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women. Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus is spreading. If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. This CDC webpage for pregnant women has more information.
As with all medical questions, be sure to consult your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions about the Zika virus or Zika transmission.
