Patient education: Zika virus infection (The Basics)

What is Zika? — 

This is a type of virus. Infection with Zika can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Zika virus is spread mainly through mosquito bites. You can also get it by having sex with someone who is infected, even if they do not have symptoms. It can also spread in other ways, including from a pregnant person to their unborn baby, and through donated blood or organs.

If you are pregnant and have Zika, it can cause serious problems for your baby. If you are not pregnant or planning to get pregnant, Zika is not likely to make you very sick or cause serious problems.

Where is Zika found? — 

Zika infection mainly occurs in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

What are the symptoms of Zika? — 

Many people have no symptoms, or only mild symptoms. If there are symptoms, they usually happen 2 to 14 days after being infected.

Symptoms might include:

●Fever

●Rash

●Pain in the joints, especially in the hands and feet

●Red eyes

●Headache

Zika can also lead to serious problems in babies whose mothers have the infection while they are pregnant.

In some areas where there is Zika virus, there have also been more cases of a disease called "Guillain-Barré syndrome," or "GBS." This disease causes muscle weakness, which can sometimes be severe and even lead to paralysis. (Paralysis is when you cannot move some muscles at all.) Most people who get Zika will not get GBS.

Some people with Zika have other problems with the nerves or brain. But this is also rare.

What if I am pregnant? — 

If you get infected with Zika while you are pregnant, you could pass the infection on to your baby. This can happen even if you do not have symptoms, or only have mild symptoms. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, experts say you should avoid traveling to areas where there is Zika virus. If you do visit these areas, it's especially important to try to avoid mosquito bites. It's also important to avoid having unprotected sex with anyone who has Zika virus.

Zika can cause serious problems in pregnancy. These include pregnancy loss (miscarriage), stillbirth (when the baby dies before it is born), and problems with the baby's development. If you are pregnant and were recently in an area where there is Zika, tell your doctor or nurse. Also, tell them if you have had unprotected sex with anyone who has (or might have) Zika. Depending on your situation, your doctor might want to test you for the virus. They can do tests to see if your baby is likely to have it, too.

How does Zika affect babies? — 

Some babies whose mothers had Zika do not have problems, but many do. These problems can include:

●A small head and brain (called "microcephaly")

●Seizures

●Muscle weakness or stiffness

●Feeding problems (for example, not sucking or swallowing well)

●Trouble hearing

●Eye problems

●Learning problems

●Other problems with growth and development

Babies whose mothers had Zika during pregnancy should get regular check-ups. At these visits, they should have their hearing, vision, and development checked. Keep getting these check-ups through early childhood. This way, the doctor can see if problems are getting better or worse, and check for any new problems.

What if I want to get pregnant in the future? — 

Talk to your doctor. They can help you plan for a healthy pregnancy. If you or your partner live outside of the areas where Zika is found, but have been to any of these areas, read the advice below on how to prevent the spread of Zika through sex. This includes guidelines about how long to wait before trying to get pregnant.

Is there a test for Zika? — 

Yes. If your doctor or nurse thinks you might have Zika, they can order tests to look for the virus. They might also do tests for other diseases that cause similar symptoms.

Your doctor or nurse will also talk to you about whether you should get tested. If you do not have any symptoms of Zika, you might not need testing. The decision depends on where you live, how much time you spent in areas where Zika is found, and your preferences.

How is Zika treated? — 

There is no specific treatment. If your symptoms bother you, rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can also take acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to relieve fever and aches.

Do not take aspirin or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve), unless your doctor or nurse says it's OK. That's because they can cause bleeding in people who have a disease that is similar to Zika, called "dengue fever." Blood tests can tell your doctor or nurse if you have dengue fever, Zika, or something else.

Never give aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin to children younger than 18 years. In children, aspirin can cause a serious problem called Reye syndrome.

Can Zika be prevented? — 

Yes. The best way is to avoid the mosquitoes that carry it. The table has some tips for avoiding mosquitoes (table 1).

It's also important to try to avoid mosquito bites if you have already gotten Zika. That's because during the first week of having it, the virus is in your blood. If a mosquito bites you, and then bites another person, that person could then get Zika.

Zika can be spread through sex, too. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. To lower the risk of spreading Zika through sex:

●Use a condom correctly if you or your partner might have been exposed to the virus (figure 1). "Exposed" means living in or traveling to an area where there is Zika, or having unprotected sex with someone who has.

●Talk to your doctor if you might have been exposed, or plan to travel to an area where there is Zika, and your partner is pregnant (or planning to get pregnant). They can give advice about how best to protect yourself and your partner.

●For people who live in areas where there is Zika, experts suggest continuing to use condoms for as long as the outbreak is happening.

Another way Zika can be spread is through donated blood or tissues. If you want to donate blood, stem cells, eggs, or sperm, and have been to an area where there is Zika virus or had sexual contact with someone who has, tell the donation center staff. They can decide how long you should wait before donating.

There is not yet a vaccine for Zika virus infection, although experts are working on it.

Where can I go to learn more? — 

You can find more information about Zika virus infection at these websites:

●US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"): www.cdc.gov/zika

●World Health Organization ("WHO"): www.who.int/health-topics/zika-virus-disease

More on this topic

Patient education: Guillain-Barré syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Dengue fever (The Basics)
Patient education: Staying healthy when you travel (The Basics)
Patient education: How to plan and prepare for a healthy pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Avoiding infections in pregnancy (The Basics)

Patient education: General travel advice (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Avoiding infections in pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)