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Do Mosquito Bites Cause Zika Virus Disease?

Posted on Mon, 2 May 2016

Question: Hi there. Hope you are we'll. ny name is XXXXX and I just wanted to ask
Are you familiar with zika virus?
I was in cancun Mexico about a month ago with my family. I am 24 weeks pregnant almost . I was bitten by insect think it maybe was spider not sure. I didn't have any symptoms... I came back and did an ultrssound all was normal. I even did a follow up ultra sound last week a month later and all is was normal.

I just worry as there is so much news about this virus. And although I didn't recal symptoms I can't help but worry. I wish I could do blood test but dr can't issue unless there were symptoms.

What are your thoughts ??? Thanks so much. Best regards. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not to worry now

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns about Zika virus especially its in news now.

Zika virus is transmitted by mosquito. You don't need to worry about insect or spider bite. The transmission or infection at present is not very high. If you don't have symptoms like fever, weakness etc there is no need to worry.

If you are extremely worried RT-PCR test can be done to identify Zika virus. But I don't advice you to get any test done and I don't see any reason for you worry.

Let me know if you need anymore help.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (26 minutes later)

Hi there.
Thanks for your reply.

I am aware of a blood test however, because I didn't have any symptoms public XXXXXXX in canada won't test blood. :(( unless we have symptoms they don't do anything...

However, I did an ultrasound a month ago for my 20 weeks one. And I did another ultrasound last week. Approx 29 days after travel to mexico. Just because I was worried and nervous.

They checked growth of the head to make sure it was ok and normal. And it's growing. And seemed okay.

Question I have, would this ultrasound that I happen to go in last week, show if there was abnormality? Since it was almost a month after I returned from trip?

Or does it show next ultrasound in a month? How often should I monitor this to have some peace of mind?

What are your thoughts...

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Soumya (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wait for 3 months

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

One month is early for the changes to occur to in fetal head that too in early pregnancy like yours. It takes about 3 months if at all affected.

If ultrasound is normal after 3 months you dont have to worry about Zika anymore.

I dont see chances of zika affecting your pregnancy. Dont worry about it.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (14 minutes later)

Hi
Last question

In an ultrasound if there is an abnormality won't it be detectable one month later and then 2 months later ?
I don't think it's sits in system for 3 months then attacks does it??

Also is the only way to get a diagnosis is via blood test? Is is too late to get blood test if it's one month after the incident ??

Thanks
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Effect on fetus ( if at all zika has affected), will be seen slowly. It will not be seen by one or two months as the baby is small at 24 weeks and the head circumference noticeably increases after 28 weeks which can be identified by ultrasound scan without confusion.

You can get RTPCR to identify even now. Its not late.

I dont think you should panic about zika. You are not likely to have been affected by it. Relax and think about good things.

In future you can directly contact me to ask any question about your pregnancy by pasting following link in your browser:

http://bit.ly/askdrsoumya

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar