We are preparing for a few family road trips this summer and one of the things that came to mind, was my overall pregnancy-health while traveling. I am just about 18 weeks pregnant and before booking any trips or deciding where we would stay, I did a little research regarding travel safety, hiking safety and Zika.
So, a few years ago (while I was pregnant with Haddon) the first Zika headlines started flooding the news. We lived in south Florida at the time and it seemed like Zika cases were popping up all over our city. It was a scary time to be pregnant, but thank God we got through that pregnancy without any trouble, and the Zika topic died down as time passed.
Although Zika is no longer at the top of the headlines, it is still a risk in many places around the world. The scary part about the disease is that the mother is not the only one infected. if a mother is infected during pregnancy, she can pass it on to her baby causing severe birth defects. There are also no vaccines or treatment for Zika, so prevention is absolutely the best way to avoid this disease altogether.
I thought I’d share some of my research with you all since we’re all getting ready to do some summer travel.
If you are currently pregnant
Limit the traveling to high-risk areas – Check out these areas that have a high risk of Zika. If you have already planned a trip, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trips and for three weeks after you return. It’s also important to think about your partner and if he is infected with Zika, it can be transmitted through intimacy, which can be prevented.
Prevent mosquito bites – Since Zika is transmitted by mosquitos, the best way to prevent Zika both at home and while traveling is to prevent mosquito bites.
Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Cover and Repel – Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; EPA–registered insect repellent.
- Dump Water – Once a week, empty and scrub containers with standing water inside and outside your home; mosquitoes lay their eggs near water.
- Create Barriers – Install or repair window and door screens; use air conditioning whenever possible, rather than open windows.
These tips also pertain to women who are not pregnant
- Protect Others – Even if you’re taking all of the right steps while you’re away, continue to take them once you’re back. If by any chance you’re infected, you can infect mosquitos in your area and then it’s a snowball effect.
- Consider waiting to get pregnant – This is totally a personal choice but if this is a trip that you’ve planned, maybe wait a few more months before planning for a pregnancy.
We are so excited about our trips coming up and although we are headed to the National Parks, far away from the recent Zika exposures, we are doing everything possible to keep those mosquitos away from the kids and ourselves. We are also doing a little research on other possible local diseases.
What’s important to Alex and I is that we have a great time this summer enjoying all that nature has to offer, while being proactive about our family’s health.
If you are interested in this topic or would like more information, you can visit the following sites:
- CDC’s Public Health Media Library
- Zika basics for pregnant women: Basic information about Zika for pregnant women.
- How to protect yourself against Zika: Steps everyone can take to avoid Zika virus infection.
- Zika Travel Information: Information about Zika and travel.
- Map of Areas with Risk of Zika: A world map that shows all areas with risk of Zika.
