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EMERGENCY
MEDICINE
THE ZIKA VIRUS
Pregnant Women and
Women of Reproductive Age
By Herbert Guzman, MD, OB/GYN at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
The Zika virus infection is a result of the transmission of a virus
primarily through mosquito bites. In November 2015 a possible
association between the mosquito bite transmission of the Zika virus
in pregnant women and microcephaly was identified in Brazil.
The Zika virus continues to receive top billing in the media be-
cause of its connection to this serious birth defects and other abnor- women wanting to become pregnant actually travel to areas sus-
malities of the brain and eye. Though Brazil has had a significant
outbreak of the Zika virus for almost one year and has noted an in-
crease in babies with this disorder during this time, the CDC (Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention) cites more studies are
needed to determine the degree to which Zika might be linked.
What is microcephaly?
Microcephaly is a congenital birth defect where the head of the
child is smaller compared with other children of the same age and
sex. Usually it is associated with:
• Developmental delays
• Seizures
• Hyperactivity
• Mental Retardation
At the time of this article, Bexar County had reported three sus-
pected Zika virus exposures in pregnant women. Most infections
are asymptomatic, and symptomatic disease is generally mild with
patients not sick enough to go to the hospital. The most common
symptoms of Zika virus disease include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle • Assess patient’s condition if they are taking medicine for another
16 San Antonio Medicine • March 2016
pain, headache and conjunctivitis, with patients very rarely dying
of Zika.
Though there is currently no evidence to suggest that Zika virus
infection poses a risk of birth defects for future pregnancies, it is im-
portant for physicians to discuss the risks associated with Zika before
pected of having Zika. The Zika virus usually remains in the blood
of an infected person for about a week, though Zika virus has been
found in semen for up to two weeks.
The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived
after the virus is cleared from the blood.
Treating pregnant patients with Zika
If you suspect a pregnant patient may have Zika, it is suggested
you do a blood test to look for Zika or other similar viral diseases,
like dengue or chikungunya. If confirmed, the CDC suggests the
following treatment of symptoms:
• Have patient get plenty of rest.
• Have patient drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Prescribe medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to reduce
fever and pain.
• Do not allow patient to take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs.
medical condition before prescribing medication for Zika symp-
toms.