The Zika Virus and Pregnancy

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard about the Zika virus, and the travel warnings to pregnant women and women trying to conceive. There’s a lot of information going around about the Zika virus and pregnancy right now, and it can be really overwhelming to sift through and figure out what’s myth, what’s fact, and what you really need to be worried about as it relates to the Zika virus and pregnancy.  This stuff is scary, but its important to place it into context, as with so many things to potentially worry about while pregnant, which of these things are you at high risk for and which are you not?

So what is the Zika virus? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s a virus that’s typically spread to people through being bitten by an infected mosquito. It can also be spread through blood transfusions and sexual contact. Common symptoms of infection once bitten include conjunctivitis (pink eye), joint pain, fever, and rash – although some people have no symptoms at all. It’s usually not enough to make you sick enough to go to the hospital, and very rarely is it fatal. It’s most commonly found in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. It’s also been found in the US Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Puerto Rico. Cases have also been reported in the US that are travel-associated.

Although there is no commercially available test, if you’ve traveled to an affected area, you should see your doctor, as they might want to take a blood sample and send it to the CDC for specialized testing. There is no specific treatment or medication for the virus, but people who get sick are usually told to stay hydrated, rest, and take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any fever or pain they might have.

The Zika virus can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and reports of microcephaly have been reported as a result of transmission. Microcephaly is a birth defect where the baby’s head is smaller than expected, and the brain is usually smaller and improperly developed. The relationship between the Zika virus and birth defects is still being studied, so until more is known about it, the CDC is recommending that pregnant women take precautions when traveling to areas affected by the Zika virus. If you must travel to one of these areas, you and your partner should talk with your OB about any precautions you might take against mosquito bites, and any symptoms to look out for. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you and your partner should talk with your doctor before traveling to these areas, since it is also possible to be transmitted sexually.

If you or your partner has been to one of these areas recently, the CDC recommends using condoms during sex. If you’re pregnant, and your partner has traveled to an affected area, using condoms during any sexual activity (including oral sex) for the rest of your pregnancy is recommended.

Some people have asked me if this affects flying during pregnancy at all – no, unless you’re flying to one of these areas! In general, if your pregnancy has been uncomplicated, many OBs say it’s okay to fly up to 35 or 36 weeks, but it’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor first, to make sure – especially if you’re flying internationally. Sometimes they might recommend wearing compression socks, especially if it’s a long flight, to help reduce the risk of clots. If you’re really showing, the airline might ask for a note of clearance from your doctor, as well.

Though the risks of Zika are very small here in the US, especially if you or your partner haven’t traveled to an affected area, it’s always good to be aware of the risks associated with the virus. If you or your partner have been to a country affected by Zika, it’s natural to be concerned, but don’t panic – talk with your doctor and find out what the next steps are, if any. It never hurts to have the information!