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| Zika Virus Advisory |
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What is Zika?
- Zika is primarily spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
- Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time she gives birth. Infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects.
- A person with Zika can also pass it to his or her sex partners.
How Can Women Protect Themselves From Zika Virus?
As much as possible, going to any country or territory with the risk of Zika should be avoided. But if travel is a must, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible for us to be able to help you prepare for your trip. Whether you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or not concerned about getting pregnant, taking precautions is necessary. Once there, strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and practice safe sex during and after your travel.
How Can Men Protect Their Partners From Zika Virus?
- After a trip to a country with risk of Zika, condoms should be used every time you have sex for the entire pregnancy.
- As much as possible, avoid sex for the entire pregnancy.
- Not having sex eliminates the risk of sexually transmitting Zika to your partner. It is important to help protect your partner throughout her pregnancy because it is common to not experience any symptoms, and currently there is no available test to know how likely you are to pass Zika through sex.
- As much as possible, wait at least 6 months after your return or after experiencing symptoms (if they develop), before attempting to conceive with your partner.
- During these months, use protection to avoid passing Zika through sex.
- As a precaution, consider using condoms or avoiding sex for at least 6 months after you return from your trip to an affected area, or after symptoms develop. Many travelers are unaware they are infected due to a lack of symptoms, so using protection is the only way to prevent both pregnancy and the spread of Zika.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zika
What are the countries with a risk of Zika?
For an updated list of countries and territories with a risk of Zika, view this world map from the CDC.
What should I do if I’m returning from a trip to an area with a risk of Zika?
Even if they do not feel sick, travelers returning from an area with a risk of Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks so they do not spread Zika to uninfected mosquitoes. If a mosquito bites a person while he or she has Zika virus in his or her blood, the mosquito can become infected and then infect other people.
What are symptoms of the Zika virus?
The most common symptoms felt by someone with the Zika virus are fever, headache, rash, muscle pain, red eyes, and joint pain. It is also not unusual for someone who is infected with Zika to not experience any symptoms at all or at most, will have mild symptoms that can last for several days to a week.