Let's talk Zika!

Emma61210 · May 2016

so obviously we are all going to be pregnant during the summer. What are your plans to avoid mosquitos?? Has anyone discussed safe bug repellant? I know I plan to stay inside... I know risk is minimal at this point but we have had 2 or 3 cases in our state already.

SA0012 · May 2016

I know I'm going to be paranoid about every single bite - but I also know there's no way to avoid them completely. It's definitely scary. My MIL gave me this "natural" mosquito repelling bar of soap once. I wish I still had the packaging to read the ingredients though :-/

Toller · May 2016

Have they confirmed that zika is indeed a risk to pg women?? I know I ready earlier that brazil's first assumed numbers weren't adding up when actually tested for zika.....

cjs260 · May 2016

@Toller02 Yes, there is now enough evidence that it it a risk for pregnant women, per the CDC. I can get actual peer reviewed journal articles the CDC relies on, but I'm not sure how to post them here. https://http//www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/index.html

I will most likely be using a DEET bug spray if I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time (especially between the hours of 4 pm and 9 pm, June - August). This is the best researched chemical based bug spray, and there are no known consequences affecting pregnant women or prenatal exposure to DEET in the fetus. The consequences of Zika during pregnancy are a much, much larger risk than that of a DEET based bug spray. There are less well-researched chemical based bug sprays, but I definitely prefer one that has been decently well researched. For limited outdoor exposure (like walking into work, out shopping, etc), I'll be using Avon's Skin So Soft lotion, which anecdotally is a miracle worker when it comes to keeping mosquitos away. DH and I will also, unfortunately, not be going to Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana to see our families during the summer months. Instead, they will come up to visit us. We had already discussed that with them prior to getting our BFP. Hopefully, because of our better infrastructure in the US, lack of standing water around homes, houses with screens, and general cleanliness, we may not see much of a widespread outbreak here in the US. Fingers crossed!

Sunflower9939 · May 2016

Mosquitos have always loved me. I will get insane amounts of bites when others will get none. No idea what it is, but I will be putting on spray after research and talking to my doctor about ones that are safe. I can't stay indoors all summer, as I have two toddlers. But will avoid places that I know have a ton - go to parks with turf and not near water, stay out of my IL's backyard where I got bitten to pieces last Fourth of July, things like that. I kind of hope it's really rainy on the fourth so I'm not sitting inside alone

Emma61210 · May 2016

@cjs260 thank you for the info. I laugh at you saying y'all won't be visiting Alabama because I live in Alabama! THE WORST for mosquitos! argh! lol!

cjs260 · May 2016

@Emma61210 I grew up there, and boy, did I always get eaten alive! My parents are in North AL, so if there are no cases present in all of AL, I might go there, but stay inside. Sadly, one of my favorite things to do in the summer is porch sit and watch the lightning bugs. On the other hand, my MIL is in south MS, and FIL is in south LA, so it is really unlikely that I'm going to feel comfortable going that far down south. We'll see. It may be similar to yellow fever in that for some reason (mainly cleanliness and infrastructure), it just doesn't spread in the US.

TinaBelcher · May 2016

I live in Michigan where the zika-carrying mosquitos haven't migrated (yet), but regardless I'll be treating this just like malaria during my trip to Africa a few years ago. DEET spray on clothes before putting them on, OFF on my skin until/unless they start to get really bad (or until zika is confirmed in the Midwest) when I'll use DEET sparingly on my skin as well.

canavara · May 2016

Hoping for a nice cooler-than-average summer and wearing loose-fitting long sleeve shirts (yeah right!)

The variant of mosquito that carries Zika is apparently most active during the afternoon and early evening, which is kind of lame, so it's probably going to be deet season here.

Given that it can be sexually transmitted, is anyone concerned about their SO getting Zika?

TinaBelcher · May 2016

canavara said:

Hoping for a nice cooler-than-average summer and wearing loose-fitting long sleeve shirts (yeah right!)

The variant of mosquito that carries Zika is apparently most active during the afternoon and early evening, which is kind of lame, so it's probably going to be deet season here.

Given that it can be sexually transmitted, is anyone concerned about their SO getting Zika?

LOL SEX?! What's that?? This IVF baby is making us abstain for a total of 10 weeks, I forget what sex is.

For real though- I'll worry once zika is confirmed up here, but my H is straight up TERRIFIED of ticks/ lyme's disease (he's a strange one, I know) and he'll likely be far more diligent than I about bug repellent (like usual) because of this phobia

jali0901 · May 2016

It has definitely been on my mind since we have been trying to conceive. I plan on using the Burts bees bug spray when I'm outside for long periods of time.

canavara · May 2016

TinaBelcher said:

canavara said:

Hoping for a nice cooler-than-average summer and wearing loose-fitting long sleeve shirts (yeah right!)

The variant of mosquito that carries Zika is apparently most active during the afternoon and early evening, which is kind of lame, so it's probably going to be deet season here.

Given that it can be sexually transmitted, is anyone concerned about their SO getting Zika?

LOL SEX?! What's that?? This IVF baby is making us abstain for a total of 10 weeks, I forget what sex is.

For real though- I'll worry once zika is confirmed up here, but my H is straight up TERRIFIED of ticks/ lyme's disease (he's a strange one, I know) and he'll likely be far more diligent than I about bug repellent (like usual) because of this phobia

Hahaha. 10 weeks though, rough! Hopefully it makes all the sex once that time's passed super amazing.

AshleySparkle720 · May 2016

Honestly I'm not concerned. We're gonna be baby mooning in Bora Bora in September and they spray for mosquitos so no worries here.

Josie3=5 · May 2016

I finally started digging into mosquito prevention studies and the possibility of Zika reaching the east coast this summer just this past week. For mosquito prevention, this is what I found (which essentially says that DEET and then spraying your yard are the only effective means of mosquito bite prevention - everything else doesn't really work):

https://evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu/2011/06/28/the-facts-on-mosquito-bite-prevention/

https://www.mosquito.org/faq

https://www.livescience.com/53532-zika-prevention-can-pregnant-women-use-mosquito-repellant.html

For predictive maps (NASA generated) about the potential spread of Zika, this map was helpful:

https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/27/health/zika-map-nasa/

And finally, the link between zika and microcephaly is pretty strong. There is preliminary evidence that microcephaly may be found in only 1% of pregnancies but that other brain abnormalities (still poorly defined) may affect as much as 20% of pregnancies. Since scientists are really giving the best educated guesses at this point since no one was really looking at zika before October of last year, these numbers are not reliable but based on the evidence that's currently out there.

Long story short, i'll be staying indoors, using DEET if I have to go out and wearing lots of long clothing.

Emma61210 · May 2016

@cjs260 omg where in North Alabama?? Im from Madison but we live in Decatur now.

Emma61210 · May 2016

@TinaBelcher good to know! My parents live in MI and we are visiting for the 4th of July

acardona1010 · May 2016

I'm a little nervous because we've had cases here in Texas and I've already got mosquito bites. They say we shouldn't worry if we haven't traveled to a country where it's a problem so I'm just going to use deet.

ju0725 · May 2016

We have had cases in my county here in Texas. We all are getting a spray down anytime we leave the house in the evening hours.

aishmc · May 2016

I plan on trying to find a bug repellant that won't irritate my skin. Since we're still in a drought here in California, a lot of people put out buckets and basins to collect rain water to water their yards. Unfortunately, we've already got tons of mosquitos. I'm one of those people who gets 30 bites when everyone else gets 1 or 2 so I'm pretty bummed. My husband set up a hammock a couple months ago, but the mosquitos are keeping me from using it.

Trmama2016 · May 2016

Thankfully we don't have many mosquitoes in Colorado, but am considering visiting my parents at the lakehouse in Michigan this summer but have been nervous about the risk. I have a friend whose OB told her she may not be able to go visit Indiana this summer due to the spread which made me nervous.

cjs260 · May 2016

@Emma61210 Ardmore here! That's so cool!

therealfrizzle · May 2016

I live in FL. I know there's been some travel and sexually transmitted related cases, but none near my area. Being I'm a ginger, I tend to "hibernate" all summer and wear cardigans with long sleeves quite often to prevent sun exposure, so my time outside tends to be minimal. Though I do have a trip to St. Augustine planned for 4th of July weekend, I think I'll get on the DEET boat and try not to spend much time outside in the later hours.

gonetothesea · May 2016

PMForbie said:

I live in FL. I know there's been some travel and sexually transmitted related cases, but none near my area. Being I'm a ginger, I tend to "hibernate" all summer and wear cardigans with long sleeves quite often to prevent sun exposure, so my time outside tends to be minimal. Though I do have a trip to St. Augustine planned for 4th of July weekend, I think I'll get on the DEET boat and try not to spend much time outside in the later hours.

I'm a Florida ginger, too, @PMForbie!

therealfrizzle · May 2016

@gonetothesea FL Gingers unite!! When it's a cloudy afternoon or nighttime...

gonetothesea · May 2016

PMForbie said:

@gonetothesea FL Gingers unite!! When it's a cloudy afternoon or nighttime...

Haha, of course.

Knottie46447694 · May 2016

I plan on making my own repellant with essential oils. It's scary to think about but trying to stay positive!

TaraGoldenCO · May 2016

If you look at the CDC website they say it is possible that one of the two mosquitos that can carry the virus may make it to Denver this summer.

"Denver has been labeled as having low to medium conditions for this Zika virus-carrying mosquito this year. This means that although conditions in the Denver area are not favorable for a continued presence of this mosquito, mainly due to our cold winter and altitude, it can be introduced during the upcoming summer via imported used tires and human activity."

https://www.9news.com/news/health/will-zika-come-to-colorado/85595102

firefly0928 · May 2016

I'm terrified of Zika. We live in Southern Maryland in an area with lots of bodies of water around us - lakes, streams, river, Chesapeake Bay. Our neighborhood sprays for mosquitos thankfully. We went out and got some Deet spray the other day and I will probably find something else (maybe Avon SSS) for daily use. Lots of time inside this summer for me!

awknyc · May 2016

I live in NYC, but am planning on traveling to Charleston in the summer and I think it get's pretty hot and humid there. I've been looking for some safe bug spray and ran across this mosquito repellent bracelet at Whole Foods. Has anyone ever used it?

JLJ2012 · May 2016

We are in Virginia and were concerned enough to hire the Mosquito Squad to come and spray our yard this year. We have had pretty bad mosquitos the last 2 years, so I am hoping this will make a difference for us at home.

TinaBelcher · May 2016

Ladies- if you're going to be in an area with zika mosquitos just use DEET. A little DEET is FAR safer for your baby than a little zika!!

poetryandoceans · May 2016

cjs260 said:

@Toller02 Yes, there is now enough evidence that it it a risk for pregnant women, per the CDC. I can get actual peer reviewed journal articles the CDC relies on, but I'm not sure how to post them here. https://http//www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/index.html

I will most likely be using a DEET bug spray if I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time (especially between the hours of 4 pm and 9 pm, June - August). This is the best researched chemical based bug spray, and there are no known consequences affecting pregnant women or prenatal exposure to DEET in the fetus. The consequences of Zika during pregnancy are a much, much larger risk than that of a DEET based bug spray. There are less well-researched chemical based bug sprays, but I definitely prefer one that has been decently well researched. For limited outdoor exposure (like walking into work, out shopping, etc), I'll be using Avon's Skin So Soft lotion, which anecdotally is a miracle worker when it comes to keeping mosquitos away. DH and I will also, unfortunately, not be going to Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana to see our families during the summer months. Instead, they will come up to visit us. We had already discussed that with them prior to getting our BFP. Hopefully, because of our better infrastructure in the US, lack of standing water around homes, houses with screens, and general cleanliness, we may not see much of a widespread outbreak here in the US. Fingers crossed!

Can I just tell you how much I love this comment? I don't live in a Zika area, but my husband and I were planning a trip in August (before my BFP) and we researched the hell out of this issue. Most of my friends think I'm being alarmist when I say we changed our travel plans, but the data that's starting to come in is really scary.

lochness · May 2016

DEET and I are going to be BFFs this summer. Mosquitoes love me. I may live in SE PA, but we're on the edge of the danger zone and nope.

KarliQ88 · May 2016

My amazing husband sprayed our yard while i was gone for 2 days. He didn't want me "breathing it in" but it's supposed to keep mosquitoes away. He is a little protective in that aspect. We also have a colony of bats living outside our house in bat houses we put up. They are no harm, leave us alone and have Never have gotten in the house. The bats eat alot of them. I've noticed a big reduction since we did that. I have a river front property so mosquito population is heavy. I'll try researching some natural ways otherwise DEET it is. The biggest threat in my area though isn't zika it's lymes disease.

KimC85 · May 2016

My in laws booked a trip for everyone to Mexico in November. I'm going to wait until closer to then to decide with my Dr whether or not I can still go

ElleMF728 · May 2016

So this made me worry and I check and the CDC issued a Zika virus travel notice for Aruba? DH and I just booked a trip there for our anniversary with friends (this baby was surprise). I'm planning to talk to my doctor but I'm curious if any of you would see if you could cancel? Its a level 2 alert.

TinaBelcher · May 2016

ElleMF728 said:

So this made me worry and I check and the CDC issued a Zika virus travel notice for Aruba? DH and I just booked a trip there for our anniversary with friends (this baby was surprise). I'm planning to talk to my doctor but I'm curious if any of you would see if you could cancel? Its a level 2 alert.

Truth? I might change location if possible. However, the resorts will be spraying to keep mosquitos out- I'm just not the type to stick to a resort and wouldn't have fun not being able to explore. Zika is just super scary... But if your doctor is comfortable with it then ::shrug::

hcam0707 · May 2016

My husband has been living in Mexico since January. He has come home for a few visits in March and April. We decided we wanted to expand our family and tried in April; thus, I'll be 6 weeks tomorrow. My 2 year old DS and I are moving to Mexico in June.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous of contracting Zika while in Mexico. However, we did extensive research, and Mexico has almost half the amount of cases than the USA. I live in NJ and as of May 11th there are 12 cases here. In the state we live in Mexico and surrounding states there are 0 cases.
That being said, I feel my odds are the same whether here nor there. As a precaution, my husband had the Mexico's yard fumigated today, so the house will be ready when I move in June.
There are so many people, including my mom, telling me not to get pregnant and being really negative. As a result, I only told my DH, sister, and best friend. I feel the extra (negative) comments from others causes me to stress out more.
Oops, I forgot to mention that we are living in Mexico for my husband's job.

ElleMF728 · May 2016

@TinaBelcher Thanks for responding. I'm definitely going to talk to my doctor but it seems like this isn't the greatest plan right now. I'm dreading having to talk to DH about it.

Tally06 · May 2016

I live in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area. I just ordered Sawyer Picaridin from Amazon based on a recommendation from Consumer Reports. They published an article on Zika prevention.

aishmc · May 2016

Hey ladies! A weekly newsletter I signed up for with week by week info about pregnancy was talking about Zika so I went to the CDC website to read more. CDC recommends an EPA approved mosquito repellant and provided a link with info:
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-insect-repellent-right-you

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