What should I know about the Zika virus?

Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine

If you are a woman of childbearing age and are trying to get pregnant or are not on birth control, you should avoid traveling to areas where Zika is active.

If you are in an area where the Zika virus is regularly seen (endemic), you should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Some are:

Wear long sleeves and long pants.
Use mosquito repellent.

Zika can spread by having sex. You should also practice safe sex by using a condom.

Continue Learning about Zika Virus

While women of childbearing age rightfully worry about getting Zika—the mosquito-borne virus linked to microcephaly and other severe birth defects—man...

Rabiya Suleman, MD

Zika virus can be transmitted sexually from an infected male to his female or male partner during va...

Medical City Plano

In an otherwise healthy person, Zika is relatively mild and lasts a few days to a week. During this ...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Zika Virus

Zika virus is a tropical disease that is spread by Aedes species of mosquitoes. Until 2015, the virus was limited to small outbreaks in regions of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Mosquitoes can pick up the virus by biting an infected person, and then transmit it to someone else they bite later. The virus doesn’t generally spread from person to person directly, though sexual transmission is possible.

Learn More