Back from Florida - Zika worry

[lissaconnelly9]

Hello . I'll try not to ramble on this too much.

Basically, I got back from a three week family holiday to Florida (we stayed in Orlando, however we did make a visit on one of the first days to Daytona beach) last Thursday. I was around 8 weeks pregnant when we flew out, and about five days in to our holiday we heard the news about the Zika outbreak as it was all over the television/radio.

Naturally, my family and I were very concerned, and I tried to be as careful as possible (pants/long sleeves at night/in the evening, mosquito repellent whenever I left the villa etc) however I can't stop worrying about this. I don't think I would have been as worried had it not been advised that pregnant women avoid non-essential travel to Florida, and I know that had this happened a few days before the holiday then I would not have taken the risk to go.

I had a private scan last week for reassurance and everything looked fine, however this is something I'll be bringing up at my NHS dating scan, which is in two days. I was wondering if anyone has any idea on what the NHS might offer to someone in my position who has recently been to this area, or if they can even offer me anything at all? Can they do a test on me and my partner? Is there any way they can find out if my baby has zika? And just because they can offer me something, does that necessarily mean that they will?

It's so scary just thinking about it, and at what was/is such an exciting time, this is really making me anxious, although I'm trying my best to keep busy and not think about it too much as I don't want to become stressed. Unfortunately, a lot of the information that I've found online in regards to tests etc applies to people who live in Florida/the US, not England, and even though I only have two more days to wait and see what I'm told by my midwife, my nerves are still all over the show

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[LuckySantangelo1]

Did you get bitten by any mosquitos while you were out there?

[Myusername2015]

I'm following this as we have just visited Miami beach got bitten and my period is late. I've been looking into blood tests and they are able to screen both you and partner for the virus...but obviously as you say it is all set up in Florida but I'm unsure what the UK system is like...ill be badgering my GP in a few days if I am pregnant. Congratulations on your news and will be keeping everything crossed you are fine; statistically it is still only tiny numbers infected there 💐

[lissaconnelly9]

I really don't know!! I did have a few bite marks here and there - nothing massive or really noticeable though - but I wouldn't have the slightest clue what they were from as there's so many things there - the flying ants are HUGE! They bite marks have gone down now.

That's my problem - I don't have a clue how it works over here!! Im going to see what my midwife says, but I think it might be wise to make a GP appointment as well.

Thanks so much - I really hope everything is fine too. This pregnancy wasn't planned and was a huge shock but this baby is now very much wanted and I would be beside myself if anything happened because of where I went on holiday

[LuckySantangelo1]

I'm sure you & the baby will be fine. As the other poster says, the chance of you being affected by Zika is very slim. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[Dixiechick17]

My best friend conceived whilst in Brazil and the whole zika virus thing hit the news when she was around 24 weeks pregnant. She was referred to the consultant and had a couple of extra scans, all was well in the end.

[dizzyfeck]

Please try not to worry. I'm not sure how long the Zika incubation period is. But just to put your mind at rest. I have had Zika, you'll know if you got it. I live in a high Zika area and we have not had one case of microcephally. Lots of newborns, three of the mums at the school have just had babies and two other people I know have 5 month olds. Your chances of being affected are slim even when you live in an area with Zika. You should mention it to your doctor though, you'll probably have scans when the time comes.

[44PumpLane]

I got back on Sunday from 3 weeks in Florida staying in Orlando- I had a docs apt on Monday where I asked about this.

My doc rang the centre for infectious diseases for advice. Basically if you don't believe you've been bitten and are asymptomatic and stayed clear of the 1 square mile are that the current cases are found then they aren't worried and class it as extremely low risk and won't test you.

I was referred to the CDC website (which I think is //www.cdc.gov/Zika/symptoms) and was told to read through the symptoms and if I feel like any of the symptoms apply to me at any point in the next fortnight then I have to call them back and they will arrange a blood test.

Basically though if you weren't in that very tiny area north of Miami where it's been found, and you're asymptomatic and you don't believe you've been bitten then do not worry at all!

I'm 22 weeks with twins and I'm not worried, just staying vigilant.