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Zika is a virus which can cause severe problems for infants if their mother becomes infected while pregnant.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG) issued a committee opinion in April of 2019 recommending that healthcare providers continue to caution patients about potential exposure to Zika even though the rate of infection seems to be decreasing.

Infectious agents come in basically four flavors: bacteria, yeast, parasites, and virus. The first three organisms all stay outside of the cell, but the virus enters the cell and hijacks the cell’s genetic machinery to turn out more virus — nice Trojan horse! Zika is spread to humans by mosquitos (Aedes species). Transmission of the virus has been reported to occur through sexual contact, blood transfusion, and to a fetus.

Since the virus is spread by mosquitos, which have defined habitats, areas where the mosquitoes reside are consider areas for possible exposure. The virus can also be contracted by having sex with an infected partner without the use of a condom. The signs of being infected include fever, rash, muscle aches, and inflammation of the eye. Symptoms usually occur within the first 3–14 days after exposure.

Zika has been classified as a fetal teratogen (something which causes a malformation of a fetus). If a fetus becomes infected, the fetus may develop a distinct pattern of birth defects which affect the nervous system, the brain, and the skull. Other problems have been reported as a result of a Zika infection such as heart abnormalities, miscarriage, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Women can transmit the virus to a fetus throughout a pregnancy, and the risk of a congenital birth syndrome is 5–10 percent.

As of 2019, there was no vaccine for Zika. Because the infection is from a virus, antibiotics do not work and there is no cure for the infection. That means that the only way to limit the risk of being infected is to avoid those areas where Zika lives. Thus, ACOG has made recommendations that include avoiding travel to areas where Zika outbreaks occur. Make sure to check before planning your next trip, even in you are in the preconception phase. Sorry, folks! Many of these Zika hot spots are in tropical oases (think Hawaii, the Caribbean, and so on). Keep in mind that skipping this babymoon may be the best gift you give to your future family.

Also, if a woman has been subject to the risk of Zika and is considering conceiving, she should wait at least eight weeks either from having Zika-like symptoms or exposure to try to conceive. If a male partner is at risk either from exposure or symptoms, then the couple should wait at least three months before trying to conceive. ACOG recommends that people with possible exposure or people who are considering traveling to Zika risk areas should consult their obstetrician for advice. The Zika recommendations will change as new information occurs and as possible vaccines are commercially available, so consultation with an OB should provide the latest methods for managing Zika.