Understand the Zika Virus, its Symptoms and how it affects the pregnant women and baby

1. Zika Virus
http://www.ifwh.org

2. What is Zika Virus?
• The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness primarily contracted by a
mosquito bite
• Initially identified in the 1950s in Africa and parts of South and
Southeast Asia, the first case was reported in the Americas in 2014
• In recent years, reports of babies with serious birth defects born to
mothers infected with the Zika virus have increased sharply

3. Symptoms of the Zika virus
• Symptoms of the Zika virus are generally mild and may include a fever,
rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis
• CDC states that only about one in five people infected with the virus
experience symptoms, so you may not even know if you’ve been infected
• Even more alarming, “There’s no vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus,”
said Karen Carcamo, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Institute for
Women’s Health, San Antonio
• “Therefore, we recommend women who are pregnant or trying to become
pregnant take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing
mosquito repellant daily and clothing that covers the majority of the skin.”

4. How does the Zika virus affect pregnant women
and their babies?
• The Zika virus is believed to be spread from a pregnant woman to her
unborn baby. Reports have shown poor pregnancy outcomes in
babies of mothers infected with the Zika virus during their pregnancy,
including serious birth defects of the brain. In light of limited
information surrounding the extent of these effects, the CDC is urging
all pregnant women to avoid any non-essential travel to other
countries
• “It’s important to note that, while the CDC is recommending travelers
to these countries take enhanced precautions, they have a stronger
set of recommendations for pregnant women,” Dr. Carcamo
cautioned. The CDC website is an excellent source for the most
current information regarding the Zika virus, Dr. Carcamo added.

5. If you’re pregnant and think you’ve contracted the
Zika virus, what should you do?
• “First things first: call your obstetrician,” Dr. Carcamo stressed. “Your
obstetrician can document the exposure and determine whether
further testing may be necessary. Most importantly: Remain calm.
The odds are likely it may not be the Zika virus, but rather an upper
respiratory infection or allergies.”
• Still, since no vaccine or effective treatment exists for the Zika virus,
prevention is critical. The Zika virus may sound scary, but fortunately,
prevention is relatively simple
• Still, since no vaccine or effective treatment exists for the Zika virus,
prevention is critical. The Zika virus may sound scary, but fortunately,
prevention is relatively simple.

6. About Karen Carcamo
• Karen Carcamo, M.D., MPH, is an obstetrician-gynecologist with the
Institute for Women’s Health, San Antonio
• To schedule an appointment with Dr. Carcamo, please call
2106158585
Source - https://www.ifwh.org/en/the-zika-virus-four-things-to-know-
if-youre-pregnant/