Zika virus is a disease caused by mosquitoes, and it can affect both adults and babies. Pregnant women and people who want to become pregnant need to be extra careful, as Zika can sometimes cause serious health problems for babies. Here’s what you should know:
How Can Zika Affect Pregnant Women and Babies? When a pregnant woman gets Zika, she can pass it on to her baby. This can lead to problems like microcephaly, a condition where the baby’s head is smaller than expected. Research shows that the biggest risk of this happening is when a woman gets infected with Zika in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Some women with Zika may not even feel sick. Only 1 in 4 people show symptoms like mild fever, rash, or red eyes, which happen a few days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
What Can Pregnant Women Do to Protect Themselves?
Avoid mosquito bites: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and use insect repellent.
Avoid areas with Zika: If you’re pregnant and traveling to places where Zika is comm…
