What should you know about Zika virus before pregnancy?

Zika can be passed by infected mosquitoes and through sex. Infection may produce no noticeable symptoms, so exposure history can matter even if you felt well. During pregnancy, Zika infection can affect a developing baby. A clinician can consider destinations, travel dates, symptoms, laboratory testing where appropriate, contraception, and exposure involving either partner. Advice should be personalised because the relevant details differ between travellers and couples.

Make a simple timeline of recent travel, including countries, departure and return dates, mosquito bites, illness, and any partner’s travel. Use reliable mosquito-bite prevention for future travel and discuss plans before visiting an area where Zika may be active. Condoms or avoiding sex may be advised for a period after possible exposure; the appropriate approach depends on the circumstances, so obtain current individual guidance rather than relying on a generic online timetable.

Arrange a consultation promptly if you are pregnant, are trying to conceive, or think pregnancy could have occurred after possible exposure. Seek urgent help for severe headache, weakness, confusion, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting, unusual bleeding or dehydration. If fever, rash, red eyes or joint pain develops after travel, get medical advice and mention the destination at the outset.

Ask how your travel history and your partner’s history affect conception planning, whether tests are useful, and which mosquito and sexual-transmission precautions are sensible. Bring details of pregnancy dates, current contraception, medications and any symptoms after travel.