Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisks in PregnancyTransmissionSymptomsRegions With OutbreaksPreventionProtectionDiagnosisTreatmentOutlookNext in Zika GuideZika Rash: Everything You Need to Know
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risks in Pregnancy
Transmission
Symptoms
Regions With Outbreaks
Prevention
Protection
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Next in Zika Guide
Most people who become infected with Zika don’t develop symptoms; if they do, symptoms are usually mild. Zika infections are the riskiest for pregnant people and their fetuses.
This article explores facts about Zika infections and what you need to know to stay safe.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Risks of Zika Virus in Pregnancy
Although most people don’t develop noticeable or severe symptoms, pregnant people and fetuses face an increased risk.
Pregnant people can pass the virus on to the fetus. Zika can also be transmitted during sexual contact. If this happens, the fetus can develop microcephaly. This is a rare neurological condition that impacts brain growth and development, leading to brain damage or deficiencies. Othercongenital conditions—those identified at or soon after birth—are also possible, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
Traveling While Pregnant
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to avoid traveling to areas with knownZika transmissions while pregnant or breastfeedingto prevent passing the virus to the fetus or infant.
The agency also recommends that people trying to conceive discuss their travel plans and the potential risks of infection with their healthcare provider.Specifically, women trying to conceive are advised to wait about two months after traveling to try to become pregnant.
Zika Virus Transmission
Although infected mosquitos are the primary source of Zika infections, infected people can spread the virus to others during the following:
What Are Symptoms of Zika?
The symptoms of Zika virus are typically mild or don’t occur at all. However, if symptoms do arise, they include:
Regions With Past Zika Outbreaks
Zika outbreaks were first recorded in humans in Uganda in 1947 and then in Nigeria in 1954. Since then, the virus has been found all over the globe, with the most prominent recent outbreaks in:
The CDC reports that outbreaks in the United States have been limited and found in areas with temperate climates, including:
Zika Prevention During International Travel
The best way to protect yourself from the Zika virus when traveling is to investigate the viral activity of your destination before you go. Since there is no vaccine to protect you against infection, high transmission rates during your planned travel period may prompt you to change plans or take additional precautions.
According to the CDC, no locally transmitted Zika infections have been identified in the continental United States since 2018.
Why Isn’t There a Zika Vaccine?
How Do You Protect Your Skin From Zika Mosquitos?
While there’s no vaccine to prevent a Zika infection yet, there are measures you can take to protect yourself, including:
Zika Diagnosis
Blood, urine, and tissue samples can be used to diagnose Zika, but these tests are most effective during the first two weeks of symptoms. The problem with existing testing methods is that an active Zika infection could be mistaken for antibodies from a past infection or similar viruses likedengue.
Researchers are working to develop newer tests that can more precisely differentiate between active and old Zika infections and other similar viral infections.
Can You Get Zika Twice?Research suggests that having a Zika infection once may protect you from being infected again. One study from 2016 found that a Zika infection with a particular strain provided protection for several months from the same strain. Whether this protection lasts a lifetime or offers protection against variants of the Zika virus isn’t as clear.
Can You Get Zika Twice?
Research suggests that having a Zika infection once may protect you from being infected again. One study from 2016 found that a Zika infection with a particular strain provided protection for several months from the same strain. Whether this protection lasts a lifetime or offers protection against variants of the Zika virus isn’t as clear.
Treatment for Zika
There’s no specific medication or treatment to cure a Zika infection. Instead, experts recommend treating the symptoms of your illness with things like:
You should avoid takingnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen sodium),and aspirin, if you have Zika. Discuss any other medical conditions or medications you take with your provider if you become infected with the Zika virus
Outlook for Zika Virus
The Zika virus doesn’t cause severe illness or noticeable symptoms for most people. Some people, however, can develop certain complications, includingnerve damageor a rare neurological condition calledGuillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). These conditions can permanently and irreversibly alter your health and overall quality of life.
Zika can cause congenital conditions, including brain damage, in developing fetuses. Talk to your healthcare provider if you suspect you have a Zika infection or to learn how to protect yourself if you travel to a high-risk area.
11 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Zika.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Recommendations for travelers and people living abroad.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika travel information.Freitas DA, et al.Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review.PLOS One. December 2020;15(12):e0242367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242367.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Potential range ofAedesmosquitoes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention and transmission.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Zika virus.National Institutes of Health.Zika virus vaccines.National Institutes of Health.Zika virus diagnosis.Dudley D, Aliota M, Mohr E, et al.A rhesus macaque model of Asian-lineage Zika virus infection.Nat Commun.June 2016;7:12204. doi:10.1038/ncomms12204.
11 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Zika.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Recommendations for travelers and people living abroad.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika travel information.Freitas DA, et al.Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review.PLOS One. December 2020;15(12):e0242367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242367.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Potential range ofAedesmosquitoes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention and transmission.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Zika virus.National Institutes of Health.Zika virus vaccines.National Institutes of Health.Zika virus diagnosis.Dudley D, Aliota M, Mohr E, et al.A rhesus macaque model of Asian-lineage Zika virus infection.Nat Commun.June 2016;7:12204. doi:10.1038/ncomms12204.
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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Zika.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Recommendations for travelers and people living abroad.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika travel information.Freitas DA, et al.Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review.PLOS One. December 2020;15(12):e0242367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242367.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Potential range ofAedesmosquitoes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention and transmission.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Zika virus.National Institutes of Health.Zika virus vaccines.National Institutes of Health.Zika virus diagnosis.Dudley D, Aliota M, Mohr E, et al.A rhesus macaque model of Asian-lineage Zika virus infection.Nat Commun.June 2016;7:12204. doi:10.1038/ncomms12204.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Zika.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika symptoms and complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Recommendations for travelers and people living abroad.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zika travel information.
Freitas DA, et al.Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review.PLOS One. December 2020;15(12):e0242367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242367.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Potential range ofAedesmosquitoes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention and transmission.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Zika virus.
National Institutes of Health.Zika virus vaccines.
National Institutes of Health.Zika virus diagnosis.
Dudley D, Aliota M, Mohr E, et al.A rhesus macaque model of Asian-lineage Zika virus infection.Nat Commun.June 2016;7:12204. doi:10.1038/ncomms12204.
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