Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon SymptomsComplicationsMicrocephaly in BabiesWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Zika GuideWhat Is Zika Virus?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Common Symptoms

Complications

Microcephaly in Babies

When to See a Doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Zika Guide

A Zika virus infection, also known as Zika fever or Zika virus disease, usually causes mild, transient symptoms or no symptoms at all. When signs of infection do appear, they are often non-specific and easily mistaken for the cold or flu. By contrast, congenital infections (passed from mother to child during pregnancy) can be far more serious and lead to a potentially devastating birth defect known as ​microcephaly.

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zika virus symptoms

According to research published in theNew England Journal of Medicine, as many as 80% of Zika infections will be entirely asymptomatic (without symptoms).When symptoms do appear, they most commonly include:

Complications of Infection

In rare cases, a Zika infection may lead to a serious condition known asGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)in which a person’s immune system attacks its own nerve cells. While the condition is considered rare, it can lead to arm and leg weakness and, in severe cases, the impairment of the muscles that control breathing.

The symptoms of GBS can persist for weeks and even months. Although most people will fully recover, some may have permanent nerve damage. A small percentage of people die from GBS.

Microcephaly can cause a cascade of physical, neurological, and developmental symptoms, including:

Babies born with microcephaly would be closely monitored even if there are no outward signs of disability. Some of the complications of the defect, such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy, may only develop in later life.

Any person who has traveled or lives in a region where the Zika virus is endemic should be tested if symptoms of infection appear.This is especially true if you are pregnant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges any asymptomatic pregnant woman to be tested two to 12 weeks upon her return from an endemic region. Those with symptoms should be tested immediately. If you happen to live in an endemic region, you would need to be tested during your first prenatal visit and at two other points during the course of your pregnancy.

While the Zika virus should definitely warrant concern, it shouldn’t cause panic. With the right precautions, you and your family can greatly reduce your odds of infection whether you are at home or abroad.

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Frequently Asked QuestionsMost cases of Zika virus cause no symptoms but, when signs and symptoms do develop, they tend to be mild and include:FeverRashHeadacheConjunctivitis(“pink eye”)Joint painMuscle painZika virus is transmitted via mosquitos of theAedesgenus. Once bitten, theincubation periodof the virus is three to 14 days.If symptoms of Zika virus develop, they tend to be mild and resolve without treatment within several days to one week.A Zika virus rash ismaculopapular, meaning that it consists of flat, raised blotches (macules) and tiny reddish bumps (papules). The rash may be itchy and will typically be widespread (disseminated), starting on the trunk and spreading to the legs, arms, feet, hands, and face.A Zika infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects, including microencephaly. In the United States, between 5% and 10% of babies born to mothers with confirmed Zika infections developed birth defects during the 2016-2017 outbreak.Among adults, Zika has been known to trigger the autoimmune nerve disorderGuillain-Barré syndrome.There have been very few reported deaths linked to primary Zika virus infection.Among children born with Zika-associated microencephaly, the death rate is around 10%.

Most cases of Zika virus cause no symptoms but, when signs and symptoms do develop, they tend to be mild and include:FeverRashHeadacheConjunctivitis(“pink eye”)Joint painMuscle pain

Most cases of Zika virus cause no symptoms but, when signs and symptoms do develop, they tend to be mild and include:

Zika virus is transmitted via mosquitos of theAedesgenus. Once bitten, theincubation periodof the virus is three to 14 days.

If symptoms of Zika virus develop, they tend to be mild and resolve without treatment within several days to one week.

A Zika virus rash ismaculopapular, meaning that it consists of flat, raised blotches (macules) and tiny reddish bumps (papules). The rash may be itchy and will typically be widespread (disseminated), starting on the trunk and spreading to the legs, arms, feet, hands, and face.

A Zika infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects, including microencephaly. In the United States, between 5% and 10% of babies born to mothers with confirmed Zika infections developed birth defects during the 2016-2017 outbreak.Among adults, Zika has been known to trigger the autoimmune nerve disorderGuillain-Barré syndrome.

There have been very few reported deaths linked to primary Zika virus infection.Among children born with Zika-associated microencephaly, the death rate is around 10%.

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Duffy MR, Chen TH, Hancock WT, et al.Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia.N Engl J Med.2009;360(24):2536-2543. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0805715World Health Organization.Zika virus.Rubin M.Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Merck Manual Professional Edition.Reynolds MR, Jones AM, Petersen EE, et al.Vital Signs: Update on Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects and Evaluation of All U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, 2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(13):366-373. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6613e1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika Travel Information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for zika virus disease.Johansson MA, Mier-y-Teran-Romero L, Reefhuis J, Gilboa SM, Hills SL.Zika and the Risk of Microcephaly.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):1-4. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1605367Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.Krow-Lucal ER, Biggerstaff BJ, Staples J.Estimated incubation period for Zika virus disease.Emerg Infect Dis.2017;23(5):841-5. doi:10.3201/eid2305.161715Hussain A, Ali F, Latiwesh OB, Hussain S.A comprehensive review of the manifestations and pathogenesis of Zika virus in neonates and adults.Cureus. 2018 Sep;10(9):e3290. doi:10.7759/cureus.3290Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital zika syndrome and other birth defects.Chang C, Ortiz K, Ansari A, Gershwin ME.The Zika outbreak of the 21st century.J Autoimmun. 2016;68:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2016.02.006N. Costa MC, Cardim LL, Teixeira MG, et al.Case fatality rate related to microcephaly congenital Zika syndrome and associated factors: a nationwide retrospective study in Brazil.Viruses. 2020;12(11):1228. doi:10.3390/v12111228

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Duffy MR, Chen TH, Hancock WT, et al.Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia.N Engl J Med.2009;360(24):2536-2543. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0805715World Health Organization.Zika virus.Rubin M.Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Merck Manual Professional Edition.Reynolds MR, Jones AM, Petersen EE, et al.Vital Signs: Update on Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects and Evaluation of All U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, 2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(13):366-373. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6613e1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika Travel Information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for zika virus disease.Johansson MA, Mier-y-Teran-Romero L, Reefhuis J, Gilboa SM, Hills SL.Zika and the Risk of Microcephaly.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):1-4. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1605367Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.Krow-Lucal ER, Biggerstaff BJ, Staples J.Estimated incubation period for Zika virus disease.Emerg Infect Dis.2017;23(5):841-5. doi:10.3201/eid2305.161715Hussain A, Ali F, Latiwesh OB, Hussain S.A comprehensive review of the manifestations and pathogenesis of Zika virus in neonates and adults.Cureus. 2018 Sep;10(9):e3290. doi:10.7759/cureus.3290Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital zika syndrome and other birth defects.Chang C, Ortiz K, Ansari A, Gershwin ME.The Zika outbreak of the 21st century.J Autoimmun. 2016;68:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2016.02.006N. Costa MC, Cardim LL, Teixeira MG, et al.Case fatality rate related to microcephaly congenital Zika syndrome and associated factors: a nationwide retrospective study in Brazil.Viruses. 2020;12(11):1228. doi:10.3390/v12111228

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Duffy MR, Chen TH, Hancock WT, et al.Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia.N Engl J Med.2009;360(24):2536-2543. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0805715World Health Organization.Zika virus.Rubin M.Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Merck Manual Professional Edition.Reynolds MR, Jones AM, Petersen EE, et al.Vital Signs: Update on Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects and Evaluation of All U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, 2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(13):366-373. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6613e1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika Travel Information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for zika virus disease.Johansson MA, Mier-y-Teran-Romero L, Reefhuis J, Gilboa SM, Hills SL.Zika and the Risk of Microcephaly.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):1-4. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1605367Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.Krow-Lucal ER, Biggerstaff BJ, Staples J.Estimated incubation period for Zika virus disease.Emerg Infect Dis.2017;23(5):841-5. doi:10.3201/eid2305.161715Hussain A, Ali F, Latiwesh OB, Hussain S.A comprehensive review of the manifestations and pathogenesis of Zika virus in neonates and adults.Cureus. 2018 Sep;10(9):e3290. doi:10.7759/cureus.3290Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital zika syndrome and other birth defects.Chang C, Ortiz K, Ansari A, Gershwin ME.The Zika outbreak of the 21st century.J Autoimmun. 2016;68:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2016.02.006N. Costa MC, Cardim LL, Teixeira MG, et al.Case fatality rate related to microcephaly congenital Zika syndrome and associated factors: a nationwide retrospective study in Brazil.Viruses. 2020;12(11):1228. doi:10.3390/v12111228

Duffy MR, Chen TH, Hancock WT, et al.Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia.N Engl J Med.2009;360(24):2536-2543. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0805715

World Health Organization.Zika virus.

Rubin M.Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Merck Manual Professional Edition.

Reynolds MR, Jones AM, Petersen EE, et al.Vital Signs: Update on Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects and Evaluation of All U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, 2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(13):366-373. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6613e1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika Travel Information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for zika virus disease.

Johansson MA, Mier-y-Teran-Romero L, Reefhuis J, Gilboa SM, Hills SL.Zika and the Risk of Microcephaly.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):1-4. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1605367

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.

Krow-Lucal ER, Biggerstaff BJ, Staples J.Estimated incubation period for Zika virus disease.Emerg Infect Dis.2017;23(5):841-5. doi:10.3201/eid2305.161715

Hussain A, Ali F, Latiwesh OB, Hussain S.A comprehensive review of the manifestations and pathogenesis of Zika virus in neonates and adults.Cureus. 2018 Sep;10(9):e3290. doi:10.7759/cureus.3290

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital zika syndrome and other birth defects.

Chang C, Ortiz K, Ansari A, Gershwin ME.The Zika outbreak of the 21st century.J Autoimmun. 2016;68:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2016.02.006

N. Costa MC, Cardim LL, Teixeira MG, et al.Case fatality rate related to microcephaly congenital Zika syndrome and associated factors: a nationwide retrospective study in Brazil.Viruses. 2020;12(11):1228. doi:10.3390/v12111228

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