Zika: Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 NJ Zika Facts Flier 0216 Version ENGLISH STATE COPY Stock ID: Reading Level: 5.9 excluding company name, proper nouns, phone numbers, website urls, sources and terms microcephaly, insect repellent, acetaminophen, Paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) conjunctivitis, influenza, pneumonia, vaccine(s), infected Pregnant, pregnancy and mosquito(s) Zika: Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is Zika? A. Zika is a virus spread mainly by the bite of an infected mosquito. Only one particular kind of mosquito carries the Zika virus, and it s not normally found in the United States. Zika has been spreading through countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. There have been only a small number of cases of Zika in the continental United States. Q. How do people get Zika? A. Zika is mainly spread through mosquito bites. Once infected, the virus will stay in a person s body for about one week. If a mosquito bites an infected person, it can carry the virus to the next person it bites. Pregnant women who are infected can give the virus to their baby. We still do not know how the virus will affect the baby. There have been reports that some babies infected with the virus have developed a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly as well as other pregnancy complications. Zika can also be transferred from person to person through sexual activity, though this is uncommon. Q. What are the symptoms of Zika?

2 A. Only about one in five people who are infected with Zika will develop symptoms. For those who do get sick, it is usually a very mild illness. Many people don t even realize they have been infected. The most common symptoms are: Fever Rash Joint and muscle pain Headaches Conjunctivitis (red eyes) Symptoms typically begin between a few days to a week after becoming infected and can last from several days to a week. It s unusual for people to get sick enough to be hospitalized and very rare to die of Zika. Q. What is my risk of catching Zika? A. Right now, people living in the United States are at very low-risk of infection with Zika. In fact, U.S. residents are much more likely to become sick and die from influenza (the flu) or pneumonia. Both the flu and pneumonia can be prevented by getting vaccinated. If you haven t already, now is a good time to talk to your health care provider about protecting yourself with these important vaccines. There is currently no vaccine for the Zika virus. If you have travelled to an area with the Zika virus in the past month and have never had the virus before, you could be at risk. The list of areas with the virus is constantly changing. If you want to know more about where the virus is, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at Q. What should I do if I think I have Zika? A. If you have symptoms of Zika and have recently traveled to any of the areas with the Zika virus, contact your doctor. Your doctor may want to test you for Zika or similar viruses. Q. How is Zika treated? A. There is no treatment for Zika, but you can treat its symptoms by: Getting a lot of rest

3 Drinking a lot of fluids Taking fever and pain relieving medicines like acetaminophen or paracetamol Do NOT take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. Q. How can I protect myself against Zika? A. There is no vaccine or treatments that can protect you from Zika. The best way to stay safe is to avoid traveling to areas known to have the Zika virus. If you do travel to a place that has Zika, avoid mosquito bites. The CDC recommends to: Wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts, if the weather permits. Use insect repellent that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Oil of lemon and eucalyptus is a natural insect repellent that provides protection against mosquitos. Follow all insect repellent product label instructions. If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent. Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitos outside. Note: Insect repellent is safe for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. If you have a baby or child: Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age. Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin. Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child s face. You can learn more about avoiding mosquito bites at These questions address pregnancy-related concerns: Q. When should I go to a doctor to see if I might have Zika? A. See your health care provider if you are pregnant and develop a fever, rash, joint pain or red eyes within a month after traveling to a country with Zika. Be sure to tell your health care provider where you traveled.

4 Q. I am pregnant. What are the risks to me and my baby if I catch Zika? A. There is a lot that we still don t know about Zika. We do know that Zika can be spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby, but we don t know how the virus will affect the baby. There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika while pregnant. Until we know more, the CDC recommends the following: Women who are pregnant (in any trimester): Consider postponing travel to any area with the Zika virus. If you have to go to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first. Do everything you can to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. Women who are trying to become pregnant: Before you travel, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and your risk of Zika infection. Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. Visit for the most up-to-date information on which areas have Zika. Q. Is it safe to use an insect repellent if I am pregnant or nursing? A. Yes. Using insect repellent is safe for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. Q. What is microcephaly? A. Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby s head is smaller than the heads of babies of the same sex and age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly. Babies with microcephaly have been known to have any of these problems: Seizures Developmental delays Intellectual disabilities Problems with movement and balance Feeding problems (trouble with swallowing) Hearing loss

5 Vision problems These problems can range from mild to severe and are often lifelong. Microcephaly can be a fatal condition. Q. If I had Zika once, will my future pregnancies be at risk for birth defects or complications? A. We still do not know the risk to the baby if a woman is infected with Zika while pregnant. The Zika virus only stays in your body for about one week. If you get pregnant after this week has passed, you will not transfer the virus to your baby. Q. Is it safe to get pregnant after traveling to a country with the Zika virus? A. The Zika virus remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus leaves the body. If you are thinking about getting pregnant and have recently gone to an area with the Zika virus, talk with your doctor about your possible risks. Q. What can I do if I have more questions about Zika? A. If you have questions about your own personal risks of catching Zika, you can call: Your health care provider <Amerigroup Community Care> <Member Services> at < (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.> <Amerigroup s 24-hour Nurse HelpLine> at < (TTY 711)>, anytime day or night, seven days a week For more information about Zika, you can visit these websites: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NJ Department of Health: Sources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): New Jersey Department of Health Zika Virus Frequently Asked Questions: