Possible pregnancy after coming home from zika destination jamaica

[Luna1719]

Hello, 2 weeks ago I came back from a 2 week holiday to Jamaica, Montego Bay in the Carribean. I had a period the day I left but have had unprotected sex since and I am now worried about the possibility of zika virus And pregnancy. I spent 4 days getting bitten to shreds with rash and bites.

I have submitted an econsult to my gp who says to wait until my period - he was very unhelpful and sounded like he hadn't a clue on the phone which didn't fill me with much confidence. He even laughed nervously at one point and seemed embarrassed to be asking when I had my last period/sex - I have had more professionalism asking for haemorrhoid cream in a boots store !!

I am very anxious now- does anyone know or been in the same position as I am in? Is there a blood test for zika virus? Should I continue with the pregnancy if it turns out I am pregnant? Please no mean comments - I've been with my partner nearly 6 years and this is the first time we have had a scare as I have always been very diligent with my pill but have been off it for the last few months due to a medication scare.

Surely the obvious thing to do is to test yourself?!
Pregnancy tests are so easy and cheap to get you don’t need a doctor for that.

How much help did you think a GP would be if you don’t know you’re pregnant yet? It’s all hypothetical

@WheelieBinPrincess Thanks for your input, do you know of any pregnancy tests which can detect pregnancy 14 days before my next period? Because i was under the impression you couldn't test until after a missed period which in my case is supposed to be 2 weeks away.

Well in that case, what the hell is the doctor meant to do?!

Thought this was meant to be a 'support page' clearly have come to the wrong place! Very bitchy responses

I'm stunned that you contacted your GP here

It’s genuinely confusing what you expect OP. No one knows if you are pregnant. The doctor doesn’t know. You don’t know.

Did you think about taking the morning after pill?

Realistically OP you are going to have to wait 2 weeks, test, find out if your pregnant. And then if you are, speak to your midwife about Zika Virus Exposure. That's about all that can be done.

Step one: take a pregnancy test when you can reasonably do so, nobody here has a crystal ball and neither does your GP.

Step two A: breathe a sigh of relief that you aren't pregnant after having unprotected sex.
OR
Step two B: Contact GP to say you are pregnant and explore the Zika thing then when you know to may be a possibility.

Step three: Stop having unprotected sex if you don't want to be pregnant.

Ohh OP not really any advice but I'm so sorry for the responses you have received. You are clearly anxious by your situation and I would be too. Can you take an early indicator pregnancy test perhaps? I everything works out for you

In the nicest possible way, there's no point in the ifs and buts, you're another 2 weeks away from AF. You may not even be pregnant, I'd worry when you get a positive test and if AF comes before then, take precautions until its safe.

I looked into zika a great deal as we are TTC and decided not to travel pre-covid due to it. Its still rife in many countries, but because covid is the main concern now, its not in the media anymore. Didn't you use mosquito repellent and long sleeves whilst away? What makes you concerned now, and not before you went?

Yes, there is a test available, but the NHS will only do it if symptomatic. Private places will do it, but its value is limited from what I've read. When I was looking 2yrs ago, it was about £130 each for testing privately. The advice used to be for men to avoid conceiving 6mths after returning home, but its now only 3 mths.

Are you TTC? I'd suggest finding another form of contraception (nuvaring, patch, implant, depo) or anything for the next 3mths. Obviously, you need to check IF you even are pregnant though.

I'm confused by your dates though? how long are your cycles and when is AF due? If you got back 2 weeks ago, on holiday for 2 weeks and not due to test for another 2 weeks- do you have 6 week cycles?

www.gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus-sample-testing-advice

Wait until you can confirm if you are pregnant and then if you are, see if you can contact one of the tropical disease hospitals to discuss your exposure.

Try not to worry until you’ve been able to get a test, after that you can hopefully get someone to chat to you about the risk levels re zika, and can chat with your partner about your thoughts on a baby if you’re pregnant.

There was nothing in your OP to suggest you were that far away from your period. If you had sex on your fertile week two weeks ago then your period would be due any day?

Hence why it was confusing that you couldn’t just test yourself.

@Luna1719

Thought this was meant to be a 'support page' clearly have come to the wrong place! Very bitchy responses

There's only one person being bitchy.

@Luna1719

Thought this was meant to be a 'support page' clearly have come to the wrong place! Very bitchy responses

Nobody is being bitchy. People are being realistic. What a waste of NHS resources contacting your GP about something that hasn't even happened. Sorry if you don't like the truth; but that doesn't make people bitches.