- All pregnant women in the United States should
be assessed for possible Zika virus exposure and signs or symptoms of Zika
during each prenatal care visit.
- The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease
are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms
could include muscle pain and headache.
- Zika virus may be passed through sex by a
person who carries the virus but never develops symptoms.
- A person with Zika virus can pass it to his or
her sex partners during vaginal, anal, or oral sex or by sharing sex toys.
- There are currently no reports of transmission
of Zika virus infection through breastfeeding. However, Zika has been detected
in breast milk.
- For women and men who have been diagnosed with Zika
virus disease or who have symptoms of Zika after possible exposure to the
virus, CDC recommends that women wait at least 8 weeks after their symptoms
first appeared before trying to get pregnant and that men wait at least 6
months before trying to get their partner pregnant.
- In addition to microcephaly, doctors have found
other problems in pregnancies and among fetuses and infants infected with Zika
virus before birth, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, absent or poorly developed
brain structures, defects of the eye, hearing deficits, and impaired growth.
Researchers are collecting data to better understand the extent of Zika virus’
impact on mothers and their children.
- CDC established a U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry
and is collaborating with state health departments and other organizations to
collect information on pregnancy and infant outcomes associated with Zika among
pregnant women.
Share
these facts with friends, family, and coworkers. For more information about
Zika, please visit cdc.gov/PreventZika.
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