Zika Virus | The MotHERS Program™

What is the Zika virus and how does it present?

The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquitoes, and it’sits infection presents with non-specific symptoms such as:

Fever
Itchy skin
Skin rash
Red eyes
Muscle and joint pain
Headache

The symptoms typically last from 2-10 days, but most people affected with Zika with have no symptoms at all. It is thought that once you have Zika, you are immune to future infections.

How does the Zika virus spread?

The zika virus can spread a few different ways

Through mosquito bites: the most common way to get infected

Through sex
From mom to baby during pregnancy
Potentially through blood transfusion

Who gets tested for Zika and how is testing done?

You should get tested for Zika if you are pregnant and …

You live or have travelled to an area with Zika and have symptoms
If you have sex with a partner who recently traveled to an area with Zika and you have symptoms
There are Zika related changes to your baby (see effects on baby below) seen on ultrasound or after delivery

You should get tested for Zika if you are the partner of a pregnant woman or a woman trying to get pregnant and …

You may have been exposed to Zika (recent travel to an area with Zika, have had sex with someone who has recently traveled to an area with Zika) or have Zika symptoms
It is important to note that this does not indicate how likely a person is to pass the Zika virus through sex as the virus can live in semen for up to 6 months

You may have testing for Zika if you are pregnant and …

You have no symptoms, were potentially exposed to Zika but do not have ongoing exposures: discuss with your health care provider if testing is right for you

You should not get tested for Zika if...

You are using it as a screening test before getting pregnant

What does testing include?

Urine Testing: for the Zika virus
Blood testing: for the Zika virus and the antibody to the virus
If the test for the virus is negative but the test for the antibody is not, you may have a follow up blood test known as a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT)

How to prevent Zika infections

Avoid travel to areas with increased Zika burden (http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/classification-tables/en/)
If having sex with someone potentially infected with Zika/has recently travelled to an area with high Zika burden use a condom (female or male)
Use insect repellent, those recommended include: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone
Wear appropriate clothing including long sleeved shirts and pants, clothes treated with permethrin and light coloured clothing
Take precautions at home including: keeping windows and doors closed, using screens and nets, covering containers that hold water like buckets and flower pots as mosquitos can breed there

How to treat Zika infections

There is currently no treatment or vaccination for Zika infections, preventative measures (see above) are key.

Zika and pregnancy

Getting pregnant:

Men who have traveled to an area with active Zika should wait at least 6 months after travel/after symptoms started before trying to conceive
Women who have traveled to an area with active Zika should wait at least 8 weeks after travel/after symptoms before trying to conceive

Effect on baby:

Brain changes: microcephaly (small head size), decreased brain tissue, seizures
Eye changes: scarring to the back of the eye, visual difficulties
Body changes: increased muscle tone, joints with decreased range of motion
Functional changes: difficulty sitting independently, feeding and sleeping
Pregnancy concerns: miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm and intrauterine grow restriction

Zika Postpartum

Breastfeeding is encouraged regardless of Zika infection in the mother, as no health concerns have been reported and breastfeeding has many benefits to baby

Baby Care

During the first month of life: The baby may be tested for the Zika infection, have an ultrasound of the head to assess brain development, eye exam and hearing test
After the first month of life: regular well baby assessments, referrals to specialists as needed

References and additional sources: