Zika

Check if you're at risk of Zika virus

Zika virus is usually caught by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Very rarely, you can get the virus by having sex with someone who has it.

Zika virus is found in parts of:

South and Central America
the Caribbean
the Pacific islands
Africa
Asia

The type of mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are not found in the UK.

Check before you travel

It's important to check the risk for the country you're going to before you travel.

Find out more about the Zika virus risk in specific countries on the Travel Health Pro website

How to avoid Zika virus

If you're travelling to an area where Zika virus is found, get advice from your GP surgery, a pharmacy or travel clinic before you go.

It's best to do this at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, but you can still get advice at the last minute if you need to.

There are things you can do to avoid getting Zika virus while you're travelling.

Do

use insect repellent on your skin - make sure it's 50% DEET-based
sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide
wear loose clothing that covers your arms and legs - the mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are most active during the day

Important

You should consider avoiding travelling to a country with a risk of Zika virus if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the near future.

Zika virus can seriously harm your baby if you have the virus while you're pregnant.

Find out more

GOV.UK: avoiding mosquito bites when travelling

Symptoms of Zika virus

Most people have few or no symptoms if they get Zika virus.

If you do have symptoms, they're usually mild and last around 2 to 7 days.

The most common symptoms include:

a high temperature
a headache
sore, red eyes
swollen joints and joint and muscle pain
lower back pain
a rash and itching all over the body

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You've recently travelled to a country with a Zika virus risk and:

you have symptoms of Zika virus
you or your partner are pregnant
you or your partner get pregnant within 3 months of coming back to the UK

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Get medical advice quickly if you have Zika virus symptoms while you're travelling.

Treatments for Zika virus

There are no specific treatments for Zika virus.

If you have symptoms, you should:

get plenty of rest
drink lots of fluids
take pain relief, such as paracetamol

If you're pregnant and have Zika virus, your midwife or hospital doctor (obstetrician) will talk about the risk with you.

They may arrange a blood test and an ultrasound scan to check your baby's growth and development.

You may also be referred to a specialist for more monitoring.

Problems during and after pregnancy

Zika virus can cause serious problems during and after pregnancy, such as:

loss of the baby before birth
premature birth
stillbirth
problems with the baby's brain, hearing and eyesight
the baby having an unusually small head (microcephaly)

If there's a chance you or your partner could get pregnant, you should:

use condoms when having sex in an area where Zika virus is found
continue to use condoms for 3 months if both you and your male partner have returned from a country with a Zika virus risk, or if your male partner has returned after travelling alone
continue to use condoms for 2 months if you're female and you've returned from a country with a Zika virus risk after travelling alone

If you or your partner are already pregnant, use condoms during and after your visit to a country with a Zika virus risk and for the rest of your pregnancy.

Speak to your midwife or doctor for advice if you're worried your unborn baby may be affected by Zika virus.

Guillain-Barr? syndrome (GBS)

Rarely, Zika virus can cause Guillain-Barr? syndrome (GBS), a serious condition that affects the nervous system.

Anyone can get Guillain-Barr? syndrome, but it mainly affects adults and older children.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You've recently travelled to a country with a Zika virus risk and:

you have numbness, pins and needles, muscle weakness or pain in your feet and hands that spreads to your arms and legs

Find out more

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
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