Zika virus (or Zika fever) is an illness you get from
certain types of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and
Aedes albopictus). It’s caused by a virus, an
organism that uses your cells to make more copies of
itself. Most people don’t know they have it or have
very mild symptoms. If a person who’s pregnant gets
infected, the virus can prevent the fetus brain from
developing properly.
the mosquitoes that carry Zika are found in many
parts of the world. There have been outbreaks of Zika
in the Americas, the Caribbean and parts of Africa
and Asia.
Only about 1 in 5 people with Zika have symptoms,
which include:
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Joint pain.
• Redness in the whites of your eyes
• Rash that’s a mix of raised and flat red areas of skin
(maculopapular), which can be itchy.
How is Zika diagnosed?
A healthcare provider diagnoses Zika by looking for
signs of the virus in your blood or pee (urine). Your
provider will usually only test for Zika if you’ve been
to a place with risk for Zika and you have symptoms.
They’ll ask you about your symptoms and recent
travel to determine whether they’ll test for Zika.
How is Zika virus treated?
There’s no specific medication that treats or cures
Zika. Your provider can help you manage your
symptoms and tell you how to keep from spreading
the virus to others. If you’re pregnant and test
positive for Zika, your pregnancy care provider will
help you manage your symptoms safely.
Zika virus usually isn’t serious for adults and children. But if a person who’s pregnant gets infected, it can
keep the fetus brain from developing properly and cause other health issues at birth. If you’re pregnant
and have been diagnosed with Zika, your pregnancy care provider can guide you through what to expect
in your specific situation. Although Zika can cause congenital conditions, remember that most babies
born to someone with Zika don’t have Zika-related conditions.
You can take precautions to avoid Zika when traveling and during sex. Talk to your healthcare
provider if you’re pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant and have concerns about Zika where you
live or during travel.