We already had plenty of reasons to hate mosquitoes, but now we have Zika virus to worry about, especially if you're pregnant or planning to be. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself and your baby.
What Makes Zika Dangerous During Pregnancy?
The Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda's Zika Forest and identified in humans in 1952. For your average person, Zika causes symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes – basically a bad week that you'll get over. But for pregnant women? That's where things get serious.
Zika can cause microcephaly in babies – that's when a baby's brain stops developing properly, resulting in an abnormally small head. And unfortunately, the first and second trimesters seem to be the most critical time for exposure.
The Real Numbers on Birth Defects
Here's what the research shows:
- Not every fetus exposed to Zika will develop birth defects, but the risk is significantly increased
- About 5-15% of infants born to women infected with Zika during pregnancy show Zika-related complications
- If infection occurs during the first trimester specifically, about 8% of babies develop birth defects
- The risk is highest during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy
How to Recognize Zika Symptoms (Or Not)
The extra-frustrating thing about Zika is that most people who get infected don't even know it:
- About 80% of infected adults have mild symptoms or none at all
- When symptoms do appear, they include fever, rash, joint pain, and red, itchy eyes
- Symptoms typically last 2-7 days
- Because symptoms are often absent, pregnant women may not even realize they're infected
This is why prevention is so critical – you can't rely on symptoms to tell you if you've been exposed.
How Zika Spreads
Mosquito bites are the primary route, but Zika can also spread through:
- Sex – vaginal, anal, or possibly oral sex (yes, really)
- From mom to baby during pregnancy
- Blood transfusions (rare)
There's currently no vaccine. So avoiding those virus-carrying mosquitoes is your best defense.
Where Zika Is Found Today
After major outbreaks in 2015-2016, Zika cases have declined significantly since 2017. However, the virus is still present in areas where the Aedes mosquitoes live, including:
- Africa
- Asia
- The Caribbean
- Central America
- Mexico
- South America
- Pacific Islands
Current CDC guidance classifies areas as having either "current or past transmission" rather than the old Level 1/2/3 warning system. Popular destinations like Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Mexico, and Brazil all fall into areas where Zika transmission has occurred.
Before you travel, check the CDC's current Zika travel page for the most up-to-date information on your destination.
How to Protect Yourself If You Travel (or Live in a Zika Area)
Cover up: Long sleeves and pants. I know, not ideal for beach vacations, but effective.
Slather on bug spray: Use EPA-registered repellents that are pregnancy-safe, containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
Stay indoors during peak mosquito hours: Early morning and late afternoon are prime feeding time. Choose accommodations with air conditioning and window screens.
Eliminate standing water: Empty flower pots, pet bowls, and anything else that could become a mosquito nursery around your home.
Practice safe sex: Use condoms during pregnancy if your partner has been to a Zika area within the past several months, or abstain altogether. The virus can remain in semen longer than in blood.
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You or your partner traveled to an area with Zika transmission
- You develop symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes during or after travel
- You're pregnant and had potential exposure
Your doctor might recommend testing if you have symptoms or if an ultrasound shows potential issues with fetal development.
The Bottom Line
The best way to protect your baby from Zika is to avoid getting infected in the first place, especially during the first and second trimesters. Yeah, I know, super helpful advice.
If you must travel to an area where Zika is present, follow prevention strategies religiously. And at least this gives you a bit of background and one more reason to hate mosquitoes.
Also check out: Can I Fly While Pregnant?
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