Zika in Texas – Find Zika virus information

Anyone who has watched television, read a newspaper or surfed the Internet recently has been bombarded with concerns about the Zika virus.  In our patient population, this virus is very concerning. It can cause significant neurologic damage to babies born to women who had the virus during pregnancy.  The most common abnormality in these babies is  microcephaly, where the baby’s head and brain are much smaller than normal.

With the exception of one case of documented sexually transmitted Zika virus, all other cases in the United States came from mosquito bites.  All of the mosquito bite cases, have been traceable to people who traveled throughout South and/or Central America.

As of February 9, 2016, there have been 35 cases of Zika virus infection in the United States.  The virus first came from Brazil. It has now spread throughout North Eastern South America and to every country in Central America.

We are strongly encouraging our patients to avoid travel to these areas of the world

If you have traveled to these high-risk countries, or if you have been sexually intimate with a partner who has, please let your physician know.  The Texas Fertility Center team will evaluate your risk and advise you on the need for any further evaluation or treatment.

The major symptoms of the Zika virus.

1. Fever
2. Rash
3. Joint pain
4. Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
5. Muscle pain
6. Headaches

Interestingly, only of one of five people with the Zika virus demonstrate symptoms.  In non-pregnant adults, the illness is very mild and the symptoms typically resolve within a couple of days.

At the moment, there is no vaccine to prevent or protect you against acquiring the Zika virus and the classic recommendations of bed rest, increased fluid consumption, and acetaminophen are the best we have to offer for symptomatic relief.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine put out a statement on February 9, 2016 urging patients who are pregnant or who are considering pregnancy to “exercise caution.”  For further information, please visit the website or the webpage established by the Center for Disease Control on the Zika virus:  http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ or call your primary care physician.