[ReproductiveHealth/FAMILIA/mchhead.htm]
   
Public Charge: What You Need to Know


MCAH Programs


Contact Information

Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health
Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health Programs

600 S. Commonwealth Ave.,
8th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Tel: (213) 639-6400
Fax: (213) 639-1034
Zika Information on Symptoms and Testing

Many people who are infected with the Zika virus do not have symptoms or only have mild symptoms. Remember, there have been no local transmission of Zika in Los Angeles County. All known Zika cases in LA County have been associated with travel to another country.

You can have Zika and not know it
If you think you have Zika...
If you are pregnant, get tested right away
What if you test positive for Zika?

You can have Zika and not know it

Symptoms usually last for several days to a week. Most people with Zika do not get sick enough to go to the hospital, and people rarely die of Zika. The virus usually stays in the blood of an infected person for about a week. During this time a person could infect a mosquito, which could spread the virus.

Image of symptoms of Zika
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/symptoms.html  

  • Mild fever – less than 38.5°C or 101.3°F
  • Headache – continuous pain in the head
  • Rash – looks like red bumps on a flat, red patch of skin
  • Conjunctivitis – red eyes with redness in the white of the eyes
  • Joint pain – often occurs in the small joints of hands and feet
  • Muscle pain – soreness or aching in muscles
  • Pain behind the eyes
  • Nausea or vomiting

If you think you have Zika...

Photo of women with doctor

Ask your health care provider if you should be tested.
Learn what you can do for treatment.
Protect yourself and others.

If you are pregnant, get tested right away

Pregnant women who have traveled to an area with Zika or had unprotected sex with a person who traveled to an area with Zika should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they do not feel sick.

Here are some topics and questions you can discuss with your healthcare provider.

Doctor's visit checklist for pregnant women who traveled to an area with Zika
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/ zika/pregnancy/documents/DocVisit-Checklist-TravelPreg.pdf

Learn more about Zika virus testing for a pregnant woman.

Zika virus testing for pregnant women not living in an area with Zika
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/ zika/pregnancy/documents/PregnantTest NotInArea.pdf

What if you test positive for Zika?

Everyone who has Zika should take steps to protect themselves and others. There is no specific medicine or vaccine for Zika. You can treat symptoms of Zika by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, and taking medicine to reduce fever and pain.

It is most important for individuals who test positive for Zika to prevent spreading Zika to other people and other mosquitoes! 

MEN

Positive Zika virus test result for men
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/testresults-men-fs.pdf 

WOMEN

Positive Zika virus test result for pregnant women
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/ zika/pregnancy/documents/zika-positive-test.pdf


Find out more information on how to protect your pregnancy.

More Information:
 
Videos:
 
Apps: 
 
Podcasts: 
 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms. May 1, 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/symptoms.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testing for Zika. May 1, 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/diagnosis.html

Mayo Clinic. Symptoms and Causes. September 2, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/zika-virus/symptoms-causes/dxc-20189274

 

 

Revised: 02/27/2024

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