I’m Pregnant! What Do I Need to Know About the Zika Virus?
You recently received the best news ever! Your family is expanding! You are pregnant!
You and your husband have been looking at baby clothes, creating a registry, making the nursery perfect. The subject of baby proofing your home even came up. How can you baby proof against the Zika virus?
The World Health Organization recently declared the Zika virus an international public health emergency. They have estimated that as many as four million people may become infected by the end of the year. The Center for Disease Control has cautioned pregnant women from traveling to numerous countries where the Zika virus is rampant, (you can access that list at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information).
The virus is linked to birth defects, such as, microcephaly and brain damage. If you have traveled to a region that is on this list and are pregnant you should get tested for the Zika virus.
For most people, the symptoms of the Zika virus are so mild that most people do not even know that they are infected. Health care providers and scientists alike are mainly concerned with the effect the virus has on pregnant women and their unborn children. Some women who have become infected during pregnancy have experienced temporary paralysis which scientist find disturbing.
The Zika virus is typically spread when an infected Asian Tiger mosquito bites a person. However, there has been a report of infection being spread through a blood transfusion and one through sex. The virus was found in semen.
Microcephaly is the most common birth defect associated with the Zika virus. Microcephaly is a condition in which babies have considerably small heads and damaged brains. During pregnancy the baby’s brain doesn’t develop, as it should. In some instances the brain totally stops developing within the first few years. Children with microcephaly may experience developmental delays, hearing loss, and learning difficulties. In October, doctors in northern Brazil noticed an increase in babies born with microcephaly. However, the Zika virus is not the only cause of microcephaly. Other causes can be German measles, diabetes, poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, and toxoplasmosis to name a few.
The CDC recommends that women who are pregnant and recently visited a country with the Zika virus consult their healthcare professional. If a pregnant woman has visited a country with the virus and begins to experience Zika virus symptoms the CDC suggests they return for a blood test. At this time the blood test is only accurate for a week after exposure. A test for Zika antibodies can be administered later.
One of the million dollar questions seems to be, does it matter when in pregnancy a woman is infected? The first trimester of pregnancy is most crucial to brain development. Scientists are unsure at this time how the virus enters the bloodstream of the fetus and damages development. Viruses such as West Nile are closely related and do not cause such traumatic damage.
Doctors, as well as, the Federal Health officials are recommending that babies born to mothers who have experienced symptoms of the virus, visited/lived in a country that has Zika outbreak, or the mother tests positive for the virus. Even if the child does not have microcephaly, the baby may have other defects related to the virus, like hearing and vision impairments.
Currently, there is no treatment, vaccine, or cure for the Zika virus. The symptoms are so mild most people do not even know they are sick. Doctors recommend rest, hydration, healthy diet, and support.
If you are pregnant and considering traveling or just want to have a fun low country summer, do your research! Check out these websites and articles.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/health/what-is-zika-virus.html?_r=0
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