Zika virus can affect your fertility.
The Zika virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause a person to be sick up to a month. Zika can have serious consequences for a fetus if the mother is infected while pregnant. Zika infection during pregnancy can also cause pregnancy loss or a birth defect called microcephaly. Zika virus may also cause infertility in men. If you are trying to conceive, it’s important that you understand the Zika virus, the illness it causes, and the risks it can bring to you, your partner, and your baby.
Zika virus is transmitted by various ways
a) Mosquito Bites
The Zika virus is initially transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. These are the same mosquitoes that spread other viruses such as chikungunya and dengue. These types of mosquitoes lay their eggs near standing water. The mosquitos will bite anytime during the day or night, but are most aggressive during the day. These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person who is already infected with the Zika virus.
b) Mother to Child
A pregnant woman can pass the Zika virus to her baby while she is pregnant. The Zika virus during pregnancy can cause a miscarriage, the brain defect called microcephaly, and other severe fetal brain conditions. Studies are currently underway to gain a deeper understanding on why and how the Zika virus causes these conditions.
c) Sexual Intercourse
Zika can be transmitted during sexual intercourse even if the infected person doesn’t have any symptoms at the time. Studies are underway to determine how long Zika virus stays in semen and vaginal fluids and how long it can be transmitted. So far, research has determined that Zika virus can remain in semen longer than any other bodily fluids.
d) Blood Transfusion
There have been reports of blood transfusion transmission in Brazil of the Zika virus. So far, no cases of blood transfusion in the United States have been reported.
e) Laboratory Settings
There have been a few observed cases of transmission of the Zika virus through contact in a laboratory environment. One of these was reported in the U.S.
Zika virus infection presents itself through various different symptoms
Most people won’t even know when and if they are infected with the Zika virus. Most people only have mild symptoms. Here’s what to look for:
• Red eyes
• Skin rash
• Muscle and/or joint pain
Zika virus can impact your fertility
The Zika virus can be deadly to a fetus and can cause serious birth defects. If you’ve travelled to an area where the Zika virus is found, or your partner has, you should consider getting tested for the disease within two weeks of suspected exposure and then tested again at 8 weeks after exposure to rule out the possibility you are infected. You should not attempt to conceive until you have a negative Zika virus test.
Men who are traveling to an area where the Zika virus is present are encouraged to freeze sperm before their trip.
Zika virus can also impact your unborn baby
Zika infection during pregnancy can have serious consequences for your unborn baby. Infection can lead to Congenital Zika Syndrome, which is a pattern of conditions that affects an unborn baby. This syndrome can include one or more of the following conditions:
• Microcephaly, which causes a smaller than normal head size
• Brain development problems
• Difficulty swallowing and other feeding problems
• Loss of hearing
• Vision problems
• Contractures, which is a problem with joint movement
• Body movement restriction caused by muscle tone problems
Several known areas have the Zika Virus
The Zika virus has been found in the following geographic locations:
• Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida
• Brownsville, Texas
• Puerto Rico
• All parts of Mexico
• Almost all parts of South America
• Most of Central Africa
• Papua new Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Christmas Islands
• And many other areas in the Far East
The complete map of world areas that are at risk for the Zika virus can be found here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/world-map-areas-with-zika
There are several ways how you can protect yourself from the Zika virus
Here’s how you can protect yourself from the conditions caused by the Zika virus:
Opionato (www.opionato.com) is your trusted go-to fertility expert accessible at anytime from anywhere. We assess your fertility potential and provide next-step fertility advice so your path to pregnancy is short and stress-free.
Opionato started with one woman’s personal fertility experience and the vision to give others what she lacked. Read Maja’s story here: https://www.opionato.com/blog/what-i-wish-i-knew-my-fertility-journey.
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