Have you freaked out about your spring break plans already? There is so much in the news right now about this apparent epidemic and zika virus birth defects that we’re seemingly guaranteed to contract if we set a toenail outside of the country.
But what’s really going on and should you be worried?
What The Zika Virus Really Is
Like any other common viral infection, there are the typical symptoms:
- fever
- fatigue
- muscle aches and pains
- headache
- conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- possible rash
- possible joint pain
You know the drill. I, myself, had the terrible late flu flare-up that has hit my neck of the woods the past few weeks.
You simply get over it with time, rest, extra fluids, and a lot of patience.
The zika virus works the same way. Only the catch is, most of the time, 80% of people don’t get symptoms and don’t know that they’re carrying it around.
This is where the problems start.
Where The Zika Virus Came From
Most people don’t know that it actually has been around for decades. It’s mainly bothered people in the southern Asia and pacific islands area. Just like any other common flu bug, it wasn’t ever considered a major problem or threat because no major issues became of it….until the past few years.
Recently, the zika virus hopped across the globe and has exploded in the South American countries around Brazil. Because of the climate and typical environment that breeds the virus, it started to flourish dramatically.
It’s spread from person to person through mosquitos-the damned mosquitos. Other data suggests it’s also transmitted sexually, but we’ll get to that.
How Zika Virus Birth Defects Come In
Since this recent explosion of cases, the rate of another dreadful side effect has also increased: microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s brain does not develop properly while in utero and they’re born with a small misshapen head. This comes with a host of challenges in life:
-
delayed development
-
failure to thrive
-
learning & intellectual disability
-
short stature
-
slow growth
-
hyperactivity
- malnutrition
-
poor coordination
-
speech impairment
It’s not a pretty picture. Microcephaly is cropping up in newborns all over the place. And their mothers were infected with zika virus.
Now, not all cases are believed to be caused by the virus. But the data and correlations are astounding! The CDC itself hasn’t confirmed a direct link between zika virus and said birth defects, but the association is there.
- These women are there.
- These babies are there.
- The virus is there.
- The microcephaly is there.
- The infections are there.
Should You Be Worried?
Now don’t get your panties in a twist over what you’ve just read. There are billions of people in the world and your chances are smaller than most. But if you can say “Yes” to most of these scenarios, then you have a decision to make.
- Are you traveling to South/Central America anytime soon?
- Are you pregnant or trying to become pregnant?
- Has your spouse or partner traveled to an infected area?
Your odds dramatically increase if you did say, “Yes”.
On a side note, there have been a few cases where the virus was transmitted sexually. It needs to be studied further, but it leaves the factor of sexual contact just as valid.
Even if you have already encountered any of these scenarios, there is good news. Just like any other infection, the zika virus is cleared from your system within a week of contact. It’s not a catch-all result if you’ve been exposed or not.
What You Can Do To Prevent
The common sense factors come into play here. But to ease your anxieties, here’s a list:
- Don’t travel to infected areas. Even avoid bordering nations or international airports.
- Avoid any and all situations where you might be bitten by mosquitos.
- Use barrier protection when sexually active, or avoid sex altogether if you know you’ve been exposed.
- Wait a few years to get pregnant until this whole thing blows over.
You can send in a blood sample to the CDC to have it tested for the virus. But the results take weeks to come back. I wouldn’t resort to that unless you absolutely know that you’ve been exposed. Because even if you were infected, by the time your test results came back, your window of contagiousness would be gone.
Now if you’re pregnant and you know you have a high likelihood of having been exposed, then by all means get tested. Work with your doctor. And move forward.
The Good News
There have been a few cases of women in the US infected with zika virus that have gone on to birth perfectly normal and healthy babies-no microcephaly. As far as the statistics and ratios of risk depending on location for women, those things are still unclear.
But it means that there are positive outcomes even with a negative factor in the picture when it comes to bringing babies into the world under these circumstances.
The CDC has also confirmed that there is no evidence showing that exposure to the zika virus poses no risk of birth defects for future pregnancies.
Possible vaccines are also being developed as we speak.
So the best thing for you to be doing right now is not worrying about the zika virus, but enjoying the moments leading up to your natural baby birth. How can you best enjoy those moments?
>> Indulge In Your Pregnancy Pampering Bundle <<
I’m not worried about the zika virus bothering me and mine. Are you? Let me know in the comments and we’ll have a down-right scientific discussion on it. Thanks!
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Jessica says
I am currently in Ireland but i remember hearing about this zika virus a few months back. Its very scary to think that this virus is spread by mosquitos, and that is can have such a significant effect on an unborn baby. I would definitely be taking your advice if i were pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Hi Jessica. I’m glad that many are still out of harms way. I do hope that it won’t rear its ugly head and come back next season even sronger. I think it’s calmed down for now, but you never know.
tessyjoel says
I’m giving a testimony about Dr. Aluya the great Herbalist, he has the cure to all manner of diseases, he cured my ZIKA VIRUS though I went through different website I saw different testimonies about different spell casters and herbalist, I was like: ‘Many people have the ZIKA virus cure why are people still suffering from it?’ I thought of it, then I contact Dr. Aluya via email, I didn’t believe him that much, I just wanted to give him a try, he replied my mail and Needed some Information about me, then I sent them to him, he prepared the herbs (CURE) and sent it to Airfreight Courier Service for delivery, he gave my details to the Courier Office, they told me that 3-5 days I will receive the package and i took the medicine which he sent to I went for medical check-up 13 days after finishing the medicine, I was Zika virus Free.
Hi Tessy. I’m glad that you were able to overcome your infection with Zika. How long did you have Zika in your bloodstream before you tried the herbs? This virus usually doesn’t last long in healthy individual’s bloodstreams. Thanks for your comment!
Alex says
The post is very well written, packed with information. It starts a bit frightening as every pregnant woman is afraid of anything that can affect her child. My wife is pregnant and I see the picture every day. The good thing is that in the end there is some encouragement and a positive perspective. Thank you for the great post.
Hi Alex. It can be frightening when people aren’t properly educated about even simple things. Headlines do a great job at scaring all of us. Good luck with your baby! Let me know if you ever have questions or need help with anything. 🙂
Here’s an awesome gift your wife will love: The Postpartum Recovery Essentials Bundle
She will thank you!
Zoey-Red LeFey says
Hello Sarah! When I lived in Germany in the early 90’s, I was not prepared to give birth naturally in the local hospital. It was a not a quick deliver for me, and it was very painful. With that being said, I still believe the best way to give birth is naturally. If I had to do it again, I would do the same thing - I would want to be prepared.
You have a lovely site, and you will help many women who want to naturally give birth to their babies!
Hi Zoey! Thanks for sharing. If there is a next time, you know where to come. Even if you have friends or loved ones looking to prepare for their births, I highly recommend the Birth Relaxation Kit.
Thanks for your comment.
Pitin says
It is very scary to read this. But it is better to be knowledgeable about this than to be sorry later on. As they say, prevention is always better than cure. I wonder how hard it is to deal with the effects later on. With this, I think I agree that it is best to just avoid traveling to infected places and be always on guard to prevent it from coming to you.
What’s the saying? An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure? Thanks for commenting Pitin. It’s certainly easier to avoid something in the short term than to deal with a lifelong health problem and everything that comes with it.
Lori says
Thanks so much for this informative article. I’m thankful that my days of pregnancy are over because I would not want the added stress of having to worry about a virus that could affect my unborn child. However, my niece is expecting and I was concerned for her and her baby’s safety. It’s such a relief to know that unless you or your partner have traveled to the areas that are affected, you’re pretty safe. I wonder if we have to worry about tourists from those areas visiting our country and then spreading it here? What are your thoughts about that happening?
Thanks again for the great information!
Lori
Lori says
Thanks so much for this informative article. I’m thankful that my days of pregnancy are over because I would not want the added stress of having to worry about a virus that could affect my unborn child. However, my niece is expecting and I was concerned for her and her baby’s safety. It’s such a relief to know that unless you or your partner have traveled to the areas that are affected, you’re pretty safe. I wonder if we have to worry about tourists from those areas visiting our country and then spreading it here? What are your thoughts about that happening?
Thanks again for the great information!
Lori
Hi Lori! Great question. You’re quite right about tourists that could be carrying the viruses too. In that case, if you live in states bordering Mexico or the gulf, then I would take caution as well. Or if you work in a international airport or facility, then there’s definite reason there too. All in all, just waiting to try and conceive is truly the end all option.
This time of year makes it hard because people are traveling south for Spring Break. I on the other hand am looking to go northward to Alaska for our vacation. But it just depends on your own situation. Thanks!