Zika Prevention: If You Have Zika
If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus there are steps you should take to prevent local transmission of Zika virus to your friends, family and neighbors. During the first week of symptoms, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to a mosquito through a mosquito bite. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people. The followings steps are critical to prevent local transmission of Zika virus here in Missouri:
Steps to Follow
- Strictly follow the steps to prevent mosquito bites during the first week of illness.
- Zika virus can be spread through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners.
- Studies are under way to find out how long Zika stays in the semen and vaginal fluids of people who have Zika, and how long it can be passed to sex partners.
- We do know the virus can stay in semen longer than in other body fluids, including vaginal fluids, urine, and blood.
- To help prevent the sexual transmission of Zika virus, use condoms correctly from start to finish, every time you have sex.
- Not having sex is the only way to be sure someone does not transmit Zika virus sexually.
The most common symptoms of Zika are:
- Fever
- Rash
- Joint Pain
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)