Zika risk in pregnancy

Zika can be transmitted by an infected mosquito bite, through sex, and from a pregnant person to the fetus. Many people with Zika do not notice symptoms; others have rash, fever, red eyes, joint pain, headache, or muscle aches. Feeling well does not replace an exposure discussion in pregnancy. A clinician can consider your destination, dates, symptoms, ultrasound care, and whether testing may be useful.

Contact your maternity team, GP, or travel-health clinician promptly and describe all destinations, travel dates, mosquito bites, symptoms, and sexual exposure. Continue routine antenatal care unless your clinician advises otherwise. Use mosquito-bite prevention during travel and after return where mosquitoes are present. Discuss precautions with your partner because Zika can be sexually transmitted. Do not delay the conversation while waiting for symptoms to appear.

Possible exposure in pregnancy merits timely contact with a clinician even without symptoms. Seek urgent medical assessment for heavy vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fainting, severe headache, breathing difficulty, confusion, or a marked reduction in fetal movements after you have been advised what movement pattern to expect. These warning signs need evaluation for causes beyond Zika as well.

Ask whether your travel or partner exposure is relevant, whether testing is appropriate, and how your antenatal follow-up may be planned. Ask which repellents and clothing measures are suitable in pregnancy, and what sexual precautions your partner and you should use.