Zika in pregnancy

Zika in pregnancy

What is Zika?

Zika is a virus and an illness.

Certain mosquitoes carry the virus and transmit it to people. The illness itself is usually mild, but experts are concerned about how it may affect pregnant women. Doctors in Brazil are investigating a possible link between Zika in pregnant women and birth defects in their babies. (They're particularly concerned about the recent rise in cases of microcephaly, a birth defect in which a baby's head is smaller than expected and the brain has not developed properly, sometimes leading to problems such as seizures and delayed development.)

Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. Because the mosquitoes that carry Zika are found throughout the world, it's likely the illness will spread to other places.

In December 2015, Puerto Rico reported its first case of Zika. Locally transmitted Zika has not been found elsewhere in the United States, but cases have been reported in returning travelers.

Latest news on Zika

February 5, 2016: Brazil confirms finding active Zika virus in saliva, urine

A top Brazilian health research institute said its scientists have found active Zika virus in urine and saliva samples. However, it’s not known if the virus can be transmitted through these bodily fluids. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is investigating.

January 16, 2016: First U.S Case of Zika-related microcephaly in Hawaii

A baby infected with the Zika virus was born in Hawaii with microcephaly (a small head and underdeveloped brain) – the first such case in the United States.

January 15, 2016: CDC issues travel alert

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel alert aimed at women who are pregnant or trying to conceive and are traveling to these places: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Here's the scoop from the CDC:

Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. Knowledge of the link between Zika and these outcomes is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for the following groups:

Women who are pregnant (in any trimester):

• Consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
• If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.

Women who are trying to become pregnant:

• Before you travel, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection.
• Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip

Specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time.

Symptoms of Zika

Symptoms commonly include a rash, fever, joint pain, and pink eye (conjunctivitis). Less common are muscle pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting. Symptoms tend to last up to a week.

How to tell if you have Zika

If you're pregnant and think you're having symptoms of Zika, call your healthcare provider. Your provider may order blood tests to look for Zika and other similar viruses.

How Zika is treated

There is no medicine for Zika. Your provider will probably suggest treating the illness in these simple ways:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
• Take acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain. (Don't take NSAIDS like ibuprofen or aspirin.)

How to protect yourself against Zika

The CDC has issued interim guidelines for prevention of sexual transmission of Zika, following two possible cases of the virus spreading through sexual contact between a man and a woman. A third case found Zika in an infected man’s semen, though he didn't have sexual contact with anyone. The CDC guidelines recommend that men who reside in or have traveled to areas of active Zika virus use condoms or abstain from sexual activity for the duration of pregnancy.

There's no vaccine to prevent Zika. When traveling to countries where Zika or other viruses spread by mosquitoes have been reported, take these steps to avoid getting bitten:

• Use insect repellent. (Find out which ones are safe during pregnancy.)
• Wear long sleeves and pants.
• Stay in places that have air conditioning or have screens on windows and doors.