Studies Reveal Zika Virus Could Cause Microcephaly in Newborns

Although it’s been around for a while, Zika virus has been making headlines recently because of its affiliation with causing Microcephaly in newborn children. Zika virus is usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. While it’s generally so mild that most people don’t go to the hospital and very rarely causes death, it causes great concern because it can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child and cause microcephaly, a birth defect that results in an abnormal smallness of the head and incomplete brain development.

Because pregnant women can be infected with Zika virus, if you’re pregnant now, it’s imperative to protect yourself from getting it. If you’re nowhere near an area experiencing a Zika outbreak, then there’s nothing to worry about. However, if you plan to travel to one or your area has reported Zika virus outbreaks, you’ll need to take precautions.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following for pregnant women:

– Stay away from areas with Zika
If you live in an area that doesn’t have a problem with Zika, the CDC advises you stay there and if you’re planning to travel to an area with Zika, you should postpone your trip. If there’s no way to avoid a trip to an area with Zika, talk to your doctor about it first.

– Prevent mosquito bites
Keeping the mosquitoes from biting you in the first place will make it more difficult to get Zika. Wear long sleeves and long pants, stay inside air conditioned places, use EPA-registered insect repellents which are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and stay away from standing water which is known to be a hotspot for breeding mosquitoes.

– Protect yourself from getting Zika through sex
Zika virus can be passed through sexual contact and that includes vaginal, anal and oral sex. If your partner has lived or recently visit in an area with Zika virus, you should either abstain from any kind of sex or make sure to use a condom. Worried your partner might have Zika virus? Talk to your doctor about your concerns.

– Keep up with your doctor visits
Pregnant women should visit their OB/GYN once a month until the last month of pregnancy when you’ll need to go once a week, unless your doctor advises you to come more frequently. During these visits, address any concerns you have for Zika virus with your doctor. Also, if you have experienced a mosquito bite and are having the symptoms of Zika, call your doctor immediately.

A little prevention goes a long way in making sure we deliver healthy babies. Take good care of yourself and your baby will stay healthy and safe too.

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