Saturday, June 25, 2016

Why delay pregnancy because of Zika? – Jamaica Observer

The birth defects associated along with the Zika virus have actually prompted several healthiness officials to impulse pregnant women to be really cautious versus mosquito bites. Based on the increasing scientific evidence confirming microcephaly as a potential outcome in infants born to mothers infected along with the Zika virus, the Jamaica Government is recommending that women of child-bearing age delay their pregnancy for a minimum of a further 6 months while we monitor the research findings coming from afflicted countries.

For the relatively couple of individuals that prove to signs of a Zika infection (25 per cent of those infected), the disease is regularly rather mild along with symptoms of fever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eye) free of the pus, and joint pain. However, in pregnant women, the effects can easily be devastating and can easily consist of pregnancy loss, or a baby born along with an abnormally little head and mind condition called microcephaly. Microcephaly might be associated along with developmental delays, psychological retardation, seizures, and in some cases can easily be fatal. The Zika virus is additionally believed to trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological condition which can easily bring about paralysis in men and women.

Zika, though primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito, can easily additionally be transmitted sexually. Sexual transmission of Zika is of excellent concern. Brand-new advice from the Centers for Ailment Regulate and Prevention now directs pregnant women to be rather cautious if their companion has actually been infected along with the Zika virus or has actually travelled to a region afflicted by Zika. Couples must usage condoms throughout all of forms of sexual task to decrease the risk of potential transmission, or abstain entirely for the duration of the pregnancy. Women that have actually Zika virus symptoms must wait a minimum of 6 months after symptoms appear, while men must wait 6 to eight months prior to trying reproduction.

The Zika virus can easily additionally be transmitted from mother to baby throughout pregnancy or about the moment of birth. Zika virus has actually been detected in fetal tissue, amniotic fluid, full-term infants, and in the placenta, and trace quantities of the virus have actually additionally been discovered in breast milk.

If you are currently pregnant, it is important that you take the crucial precaution to Stay away from being bitten my mosquitoes. Pregnant women are urged to put on light-coloured long-sleeved clothing, usage bed nets and repellent along with DEET to decrease the risk of Zika infection. It is the potentially devastating effects that Zika could have actually on unborn kids that has actually raised comes to and placed pregnant women and women preparation on becoming pregnant at the forefront of Zika discussions.

Visit your nearest healthiness centre or medical professional if you begin to experience any sort of of the symptoms associated along with zika virus infection. For a lot more short article on the zika virus, mosquito-breeding sites and others related material, visit the Ministry of Health’s website at

www.moh.gov.jm