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What Is the Zika Virus?
The Zika virus is a contagious infection transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, the same kind that spreads dengue fever and chikungunya viruses. The Zika virus was identified in 1947 in the Ugandan forest.
While most healthy adults only develop mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, this is why many are unaware they have been infected. During pregnancy, the Zika virus can pass to the developing baby through the placenta, making it an illness that pregnant women and their partners need to take very seriously.
How Is the Zika Virus Transmitted?
There are four major ways in which the Zika virus may spread:
- Mosquitoes: The Aedes mosquito bites during the day, more frequently at dawn and dusk.
- Sexual Contact: The Zika virus spreads through sexual contact; therefore, precautions should be taken by both partners, even if only one partner has visited areas with the presence of the Zika virus.
- Mother to Child: A woman can transmit the virus to her baby either during pregnancy or childbirth.
- Blood Transfusion: Through blood transfusion, though this is thought to be quite rare.
How Does the Zika Virus Affect Pregnancy?
The impacts that result from Zika virus infection in pregnant women have been observed mostly regarding the development of their fetuses. This virus affects the development of the fetus’s brain and nervous system, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy.
How It Affects the Baby:
- Microcephaly
- Congenital Zika syndrome
- Brain defects
- Stillbirth
How It Affects the Mother:
- A slight fever
- Skin rash
- Muscle or joint aches
- Red or irritated eyes
- Headache
These symptoms typically subside within a week. In fact, the symptoms of the Zika virus are so mild that if it were not for the risk it poses to a baby's development when a mother is pregnant, many people would not realise they had even contracted the virus. That is why travel precautions and testing are crucial for pregnant women and their partners.
What Signs Should You Look Out For?
If you have travelled to the areas where the Zika virus is found while you are pregnant, or your partner has travelled, you must keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Irritation or redness of the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Excessive fatigue
Diagnosis of the Zika Virus in Pregnancy
Some tests and testing may be recommended by your doctor if he or she suspects the presence of the virus in your body. This includes:
- Tests on blood or urine samples to detect the presence of the virus in your body.
- Regular ultrasounds for monitoring the size of the baby's skull and the proper functioning of the baby's brain.
- Amniocentesis may be needed in some cases. This test is used for diagnosing whether the environment inside the womb is affected by the virus or not.
How Can You Protect Yourself from the Zika virus When Pregnant?
Prevention is by far the most effective way to avoid the potential health problems associated with the Zika virus in pregnancy, as there is currently no vaccine and no specific treatment for the virus during pregnancy.
Tips for pregnancy
- Avoid travel to Zika-affected areas altogether if you can. This is the best way to prevent infection with the virus while pregnant.
- Wear a pregnancy-safe insect repellent on all skin that is not covered by clothing, if travelling to areas where Zika is present is unavoidable.
- Cover up your skin with clothing. This is especially important during peak mosquito biting hours. You may want to consider wearing loose long-sleeved shirts, full-length trousers, and closed shoes.
- Stay in an accommodation where mosquitoes are prevented from entering. If you cannot stay in such a location, you will need to consider mosquito nets or other ways of avoiding mosquito bites while sleeping.
During intimacy
If you have a partner who lives in, or has recently travelled to, a Zika-affected area, it is advisable to take precautions during intimacy for the entire length of your pregnancy; this holds even if your partner had symptoms and has since fully recovered. Talk to your doctor about the best way to ensure the health of your baby throughout your pregnancy, should your partner be in a Zika-infected country.
When Should You Contact Your Doctor?
You should consult your obstetrician or midwife right away if any of the following apply to you:
- You are pregnant and planning to travel anywhere where the health department knows there are cases of the Zika virus.
- You or your partner has returned recently from an area where the Zika virus is known to be present.
- You are considering becoming pregnant in the near future and have recently visited or live in an area with reported Zika virus activity. Your doctor will provide guidance on safe conception.
There is no need to believe that your visit to the clinic for testing and monitoring must be during your next scheduled appointment. Testing and monitoring at the earliest convenience may mean a lot in terms of having a healthy pregnancy.
The Zika virus may cause significant problems in the case of a pregnancy, but there is nothing to worry about if you know how to avoid getting infected. With proper information and preventive measures, you can minimise your chances of infection and concentrate on having a healthy pregnancy.
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FAQ about Zika Virus During Pregnancy: What Expecting Parents Need to Know
- Is it possible to contract the Zika virus after my baby is born?
The virus can remain active in the body for a period after an infection. If you contract the Zika virus during pregnancy, you may need to have checks for yourself and your baby even after your baby has been born. - Is there a cure for the Zika virus in pregnancy?
At present, there is no cure for the Zika virus in pregnancy, and the treatment is to monitor the developing baby and relieve any symptoms of infection that might occur.