The Tribune

By Bianca Carter

Microcephaly is a word most of us up until a few weeks ago had never heard of before. A seemingly uncommon and rare condition caused by the Zika virus has created a panic in the Americas, especially for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Microcephaly is a birth defect that makes a baby’s head smaller than normal which results in a smaller brain and can result in permanent developmental problems.

What makes this virus particularly concerning is how it is transmitted, via mosquitoes; those annoying pesky insects that before had very rarely caused us much harm, a part from our dengue fever outbreak in 2011.

Zika is found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito and can be spread by getting bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus or when a person infected gets bitten by a mosquito that then bites someone else. And even more alarming is that the Zika virus is also found in body fluids and can be transmitted through sexual intercourse as one case in Dallas, Texas, revealed last week.

Medical professionals in affected areas are recommending that pregnant women refrain from having sex until the baby is born, or not to have unprotected sex with your partner.

Symptoms for the virus are mild. Flu-like symptoms similar to dengue include rash, fever and joint pain. Only one in five people infected by the Zika virus will become ill, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no medicine to treat Zika and no vaccine to prevent it.

Prevention guidelines include wearing long-sleeved clothing, also long pants, and using approved insect repellents as laid out by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Insect repellents are particularly concerning for pregnant and nursing mothers. Speak to your healthcare professional regarding the proper application.

Women in developing countries where Zika has been found are being told to delay having children and women that are pregnant are advised not to travel to affected areas.

Pregnant women naturally worry and have concerns about the health and safety of their newborn, adding this scary global epidemic to the picture is enough to through your joyful and peaceful pregnancy out the window.

Here’s the good news, there have been no confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the Bahamas.

According to a New York Times, non-pregnant women who get the virus and recover from it become immune and can safely have a baby in the future. Although it is highly probable that the virus may be found in the Bahamas at some point, it is possible to safeguard yourself and your baby by following the above mentioned recommendations, including not travelling to other highly affected areas. Also make sure you speak to your healthcare professionals about your concerns; both your OBGYN and paediatrician can guide you effectively.

For more information and helpful links about the Zika virus, visit our website, we’ll post the links there.

Love and hugs!

• Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC), founder of Bun in the Oven, and weekend radio personality on Y98 radio. For more information, email her at info@babybunintheoven.com, or bcarter@tribunemedia.net. Follow BITO on Facebook at babybunintheoven, and check out the BITO Blog every Monday and Thursday at http://babybunintheoven.com.