Relevant Webinar
In this
webinar, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Medical Association (AMA) discuss the clinical and epidemiologic aspects of Zika virus, its implications for pregnant women, and guidance for clinicians.
Did you miss a previous Every Woman Southeast webinar? All of our archived webinars can be found on our website
here
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Zika Virus Prevention: Summary for the General Public
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There are multiple effective steps that people can take to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the spread of Zika virus. This video from the CDC briefly discusses each of them. For more information, go to cdc.gov/zika.
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Click here to view an infographic that discusses the top five things everyone needs to know about Zika virus.
Other infographics related to Zika can be found on the CDC website here.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is at the forefront of the Zika virus epidemic. Their
website hosts information on Zika for all audiences, including healthcare providers, public health professionals, and the public.
CDC's
Zika Key Messages Guide provides a
"snapshot" of information for all Zika-related topics, including sexual transmission, pregnancy and the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, related birth defects, information for those not considering pregnancy, and recommendations for clinicians and other public health professionals.
For women considering pregnancy, or those who are pregnant, see CDC's Topic of the Week Promotional Toolkit for social media messages on this topic, as well as a list of recent Zika-related publications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) works to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world. Together with governments and other partners, they strive to combat various diseases, including Zika. View their website, and that of the Pan American Health Organization, for information and resources on this epidemic.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) champions the health of all people and communities and speaks out for public health issues and policies backed by science. APHA Zika-related resources are available on their website, along with links to other organizations working to combat Zika virus.
Improving the health of the nation is at the core of the American Medical Association (AMA)'s work to enhance the delivery of care and enable physicians and health teams to partner with patients to achieve better health for all. Their website hosts a wealth of Zika-related resources for physicians and the public alike.
For years the March of Dimes has led the way in the discovery of genetic causes of birth defects, promoting newborn screening, and educating medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy pregnancy. For women and couples that desire pregnancy, their website has a wealth of information about Zika and pregnancy.
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Zika Virus & Women's Preconception Health
Did you know that each year in the United States
nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended? Are you wondering what this statistic has to do with Zika virus?
Because Zika can cause
microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects, it is more important than ever for women and their partners to consider their pregnancy intentions and timing, particularly if they live in an
area with active Zika transmission. We know that decisions about pregnancy planning are personal, but with consultation from a healthcare provider, women and their partners can effectively prevent mistimed or unwanted pregnancies and reduce the risk of having a pregnancy affected by Zika virus.
How should women of reproductive age be counseled, especially if they reside in areas with active Zika transmission? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthcare providers discuss
reproductive life plans, including pregnancy intentions and timing, with all women of reproductive age. A
reproductive life plan helps a woman think about her goals for having or not having children and how to achieve these goals.
It is important to note that these discussions present an opportunity for couples and their providers to discuss more than just Zika virus. Healthcare providers can also use this time to discuss other
preconception health behaviors, such as not using tobacco, managing chronic conditions, and screening and treating for any existing sexually transmitted infections.
How should couples who want to conceive and live in areas with active Zika virus transmission be counseled for preconception care? If a woman and her partner decide that pregnancy is an option now or at some point in the next year, they should discuss with their healthcare providers the risks of Zika virus transmission, as well as ways that women and their partners can protect themselves from getting Zika during pregnancy.
This discussion should include:
- An assessment of the risk of Zika exposure, including the presence of mosquitoes in and around the home, levels of local transmission of Zika, and practiced protective measures;
- Signs and symptoms of Zika;
- Possible adverse outcomes of Zika infection during pregnancy; and
- Personal factors that might influence the timing of pregnancy: fertility, age, reproductive history, medical history, personal values/preferences.
Taking
protective measures has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of vector-borne diseases, however, it might not be possible to completely eliminate the risk of Zika virus exposure during conception or pregnancy. The decision on timing of pregnancy is a personal decision and should be made by women or couples in consultation with their healthcare provider.
It is also VERY important for couples to be given information about other actions they should take to reduce their risk for poor birth outcomes. These include not using tobacco products, avoiding alcohol, managing chronic conditions, treating sexually transmitted infections, not taking medications that are teraterogenic, and being at a healthy body weight. Learn more at
www.showyourlovetoday.com.
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Zika Publications
Other publications related to Zika are available on the CDC's website
here.
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New Blog Post!
UPDATE: Congress agreed to allocate $1.1 billion to combat Zika on September 28, 2016.
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| Have Thoughts to Share? Write For Our Blog! Are you currently pregnant and living in the Southeast? Are you or your partner thinking about getting pregnant? Tell us what you're doing to prevent Zika transmission.
We'd love to here from you! Share your thoughts by writing for our blog. Click here for more information. |
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