On our latest Health in Heels with Dr. Lisa segment, we discuss what you need to know about Zika.

Last summer, the Zika virus was getting a lot over media coverage, which has all but stopped. But that doesn’t mean the virus has gone away, and women aren’t still at risk. In fact, Brownsville, TX was added to the Zika travel guidance as a place to avoid in late October.

https://youtu.be/B4cH3g3tJ1k

So here is what you need to know about Zika:

• The virus is spread by mosquito bites. It enters the bloodstream of the infected person and can be transmitted through sex even if the infected person does not have symptoms.
• The virus can be transmitted from mother to fetus and can cause birth defects.
• If you are pregnant do not travel to areas with Zika. Includes Brownsville, TX and south Florida and many areas in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

If you do travel to a country that has a Zika travel alert, be sure to take these precautions:

• Prevent mosquito bites by using an EPA approved insect repellent. EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Keep mosquitoes outside by staying in places with air conditioning and with window/door screens.
• Protect yourself during sex. Women- consider using condoms or not having sex for at least 8 weeks after travel (if you don’t have symptoms) or for at least 8 weeks from the start of symptoms (or Zika diagnosis) if you develop Zika.
• Avoid areas where there is standing water because they attract mosquitoes.

We’ll post links to the CDC’s travel and prevention guidance below.https://www.cdc.gov/zika/.

Hope this information was helpful, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to submit them in the comments below or on my Twitter or Facebook page.

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Thanks for checking us out, as always, I’m Dr. Lisa reminding you to be well and be fabulous!