Zika%20virus%20infection Patient Education
Patient Education
- Both men and women (pregnant or non-pregnant) should be counseled on the possible risk and outcome of Zika virus transmission
- Symptomatic men are advised to wait at least 6 months from the onset of symptoms before having unprotected sex
- Asymptomatic men are advised to wait at least 6 months from the last date of possible exposure before having unprotected sex
- Symptomatic women are advised to wait at least 8 weeks after the onset of symptoms before having unprotected sex
- Asymptomatic women are advised to wait at least 8 weeks from the last date of possible exposure before having unprotected sex
- Longer precautionary period is recommended for men because:
- The RNA of the virus still persists in the semen of an infected man after his recovery from the illness
- It is still unknown for how long will it take an infected man's semen to clear the virus
- There is no documentation about a good evidence on the difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic men
- For patients who are trying to get pregnant, taking folic acid supplement for 28 days should be advised