Why is Zika virus bad for pregnancy?

Zika is a virus that can cause serious problems during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and infected with Zika virus, you can pass it to your baby. Zika infection during pregnancy causes a birth defect called microcephaly and other brain problems. It also may be linked to other serious problems for a baby.

Why is Zika dangerous?

The virus causes birth defects in babies born to some infected pregnant women, including microcephaly, where babies are born with underdeveloped heads and brain damage. Zika has also been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.

When does Zika affect pregnancy?

Among women with confirmed Zika infection during the first trimester, 8 percent — nearly 1 in 12 — had a baby or fetus with Zika-related birth defects. For infections in the second trimester, 5 percent were affected, and in the third trimester, 4 percent, according to the CDC.

What happens if you get Zika?

A: The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Many people infected with Zika won’t have symptoms or will have mild symptoms, which can last for several days to a week.

What happens to babies with Zika?

Babies who were infected with Zika before birth may have damage to their eyes and/or the part of their brain that is responsible for vision, which may affect their visual development. Both babies with and without microcephaly can have eye problems.

Is Zika fatal?

Zika virus disease is generally mild, and severe disease requiring hospitalization and deaths are uncommon.

Can Zika cause death?

Zika virus can cause birth defects in babies born to infected pregnant women. Deaths are uncommon in Zika but severe cases need immediate medical attention.

What happens if a pregnant woman gets bit by a mosquito?

Zika is a virus spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects.

What happens if you have Zika?

What is the death rate of the Zika virus?

Considering the currently confirmed cases of microcephaly and related deaths associated with Zika virus in Brazil, the estimated case fatality rate is 8.3\% (95\% confidence interval: 7.2-9.6).

How many deaths did Zika cause?

A total of 51 reported deaths associated with ZIKV infection in nine countries were identified. The majority of cases (56.9\%) were not related to Guillain–Barré syndrome. Cases from three countries accounted for 67.6\% of the deaths. ZIKV infection was laboratory-confirmed in the majority of cases (64.7\%).

What happens if you get Zika virus while pregnant?

Zika virus infections during pregnancy have been linked to miscarriage and microcephaly, a potentially fatal congenital brain condition. Zika virus may also cause congenital Zika syndrome, which includes these birth defects: Severe microcephaly with a partly collapsed skull. Brain damage and reduced brain tissue.

What birth defects are caused by Zika virus?

Microcephaly & Other Birth Defects. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME. CDC is investigating the link between Zika virus infection and GBS, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system.

What are the effects of Zika virus on humans?

Overview. Zika virus infections during pregnancy have been linked to miscarriage and can cause microcephaly, a potentially fatal congenital brain condition. The Zika virus also may cause other neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Researchers are working on a Zika virus vaccine.

What is Zika virus and how does it spread?

Zika is a virus spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus.