The Zika Virus: What’s Your Risk?
Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should be aware of a low-level risk in the United States of contracting the Zika virus, which has been observed in recent months in Brazil and several Caribbean and Latin American countries. About 12 cases of people in the United States being infected with the virus have been confirmed in Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Hawaii. All of the infected individuals recently had traveled to Latin American countries.
The virus is believed to be responsible for an escalation of congenital microcephaly in newborns and for stillborn births. Babies born with microcephaly have abnormally small heads and under-developed brains. Because of this, they suffer a number of medical complications and developmental issues requiring constant care. Most have a life expectancy of only 10 years, though some live into their 30s.
The infection is mosquito-borne, but transmission is possible if an already-infected person is bitten by a mosquito that then bites and spreads the infection to another person. So far, it is not believed to be transmitted from person to person. CDC officials say they do not expect the virus to spread widely in the United States.
Because of a dramatic increase in the number of Zika-infected women giving birth to infants with microcephaly in Brazil, as a precaution, the CDC on January 15 issued a travel advisory for individuals planning trips to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname, or Venezuela.
There is no readily available test for the Zika virus. Blood samples must be transported and tested in advanced laboratories at the CDC or come state health departments. About one in five infected people will get sick. Most infected people report one or a combination of mild symptoms, including fever, rash, joint pain, pink eye, muscle pain, or headache for several days to a week. According to the CDC, the most dangerous time for women to become infected is during the first trimester, when many do not yet realize they are pregnant. However, vigilance is recommended throughout the pregnancy.
Prevention is the best defense from the Zika virus. Individuals — especially pregnant women or those actively trying to conceive — who travel to countries affected by the CDC advisory should take common precautions for avoiding mosquito bites, such as: wearing long sleeves, long pants, shoes, and socks to keep skin from being exposed; staying in air-conditioned environments or buildings with window screens; and using an approved mosquito repellant sprayed over protective clothing. According to the CDC, insect repellents containing active ingredients, such as DEET and picaridin, are considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Ob Hospitalist Group will continue to follow this evolving story, consult with our hospitalist experts, and post updates as warranted. For additional information, visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/.
