What pregnant women in Georgia need to know about Zika virus
DECATUR, Ga. - The CDC is telling women who are pregnant not to go to places that have a Zika outbreak, but now that the State Health Department has confirmed the first case of Zika in Georgia, what do pregnant women living in the state need to know?
Dr. Stephanie Carmichael said some patients at Total Women's Health and Wellness Center in Decatur have been asking about the Zika virus. She said there is no need to panic, but pregnant women do need to be cautious especially since we are still learning about the virus.
App users: Click here to watch video report
"We certainly want to be mindful, we want to make sure we review the information," said Dr. Carmichael.
After the Georgia Department of Health confirmed the first case of Zika in the state, Dr. Carmichael said it is important for pregnant women to avoid exposure here in Georgia.
"Using a good insect repellant and reminding folks that DEET is an absolutely fine repellant to use both when you are not pregnant and during pregnancy," said Dr. Carmichael.
The Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. Medical experts say an infected person can pass the virus to another mosquito through mosquito bites, which is concerning to some doctors.
The symptoms for Zika virus include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Medical experts say one in five people have serious symptoms and there is no vaccine or medications available to prevent or treat Zika infections.
Dr. Carmichael said if you have traveled to one of the CDC Zika travel alert destinations you must notify your doctor so they can perform the proper screening for you and your baby.
"You do a screening ultrasound to certainly look at the head anatomy and make sure you do not see evidence of micro-cephalic," said Dr. Carmichael.
Health officials in Dallas, Texas confirmed a local patient apparently contracted Zika through sex with an infected person returning from Venezuela. Dr. Carmichael said if Zika is sexually transmitted that is a major concern.
"If there is the whole, well you can get it through sex, what do I do, I have been using DEET, I have been trying to minimize my exposure, but what if my partner has been somewhere and been contaminated," said Dr. Carmichael.
The CDC said they will issue guidance in the coming days on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus, with a focus on the male sexual partners of women who are or who may be pregnant.