What You Need to Know About the Zika Virus

What You Need to Know About the Zika Virus

If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you are probably paying close attention to all of the news out there about Zika. And if you are like most of us, you probably have questions. While it is not a new virus, Zika has been getting a lot of attention in the press lately and new information is being reported in the news almost every day, so it is easy to get confused or feel overwhelmed.

For the most up-to-date information look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC is on the ground in Brazil working to get the most accurate information and share it with the public on their site.

They have answers to questions about everything, including:

-How the Zika virus is transmitted

-Travel recommendations to regions and countries where the Zika virus has been found

-If it is safe for pregnant women to use insect repellent

-Who should be tested and when

-If being infected with the Zika virus can cause issues with future pregnancies

-Steps people can take to help prevent getting infected

The CDC also has information about Microcephaly, the birth defect that can result from being infected by the Zika virus. Microcephaly is the condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than normal and it usually occurs when the baby’s brain does not properly develop during pregnancy which causes the brain to not grow and therefore the head to stop growing.

Microcephaly has been linked to a variety of medical issues including:

-Seizures

-Developmental delays (problems with swallowing, speech, sitting up, standing, walking, etc.)

-Vision and hearing problems

Microcephaly can be diagnosed during pregnancy or after birth.

As with all medical matters, we recommend you consult your doctor to answer individual questions or address concerns.

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