Anyone freaking out about Zika Virus?

runner76 · January 2016

I am just about to start either iui or ivf.. and now this is all developing. they are saying by spring or summer it will be in the US. idk if I should even go through all this? Its impossible to avoid mosqitos. And it lives in semen and can be spread from sex!! Seriously does the stress ever end???

KatBH · January 2016

I think if I still lived in Miami, where mosquitos are EVERYWHERE, I would definitely be a little worried. But until there are cases from mosquito bites that happened within the US, or you have a spouse/SO who travels to South America, I don't think there's too much to worry about. There's enough stress without throwing mosquitos into the mix!

laur2835 · January 2016

We are having our embryo transfer Monday and have a vacation to Naples Florida the end of March (my in laws own a condo there). My husband just called this morning from work and was like "ummm if you get pregnant do you think we can't go on vacation?" i hadn't even thought about it, but now I'm starting to wonder. My attitude is people live there year round and are having kids, what are the chances of me being there for 7 days and contracting something. I don't know though!!

Gr8te · January 2016

I'm PUPO and we were planning on renting a house in Key West this June. Hopefully, we'll have to back out.

KLake42 · January 2016

This virus could easily spread to many areas of the US, if people traveling the affected areas bring it back, and get bit by the local mosquito population. I'm in Georgia, so I feel like there's a very real risk.

We're already doing what we can to minimize mosquitoes in our yard (getting rid of standing water), and will probably spray for them in the yard. If I manage to get pregnant, I will hold my breath and use DEET regularly, spray my clothes with permethrin (the chemicals are a lesser evil), and stay indoors. Which I'll hate, because I'm an outdoorsy kind of person.

When I don't do these things, I average one or two mosquito bites a day. They love me, and they surround my home. Hopefully, I'm overreacting.

PCOSat25 · January 2016

I am pretty sure zika virus is a health scare in the U.S. the same way "Ebola" was a health scare in the U.S...

i read a WHO article that said they still haven't even shown a CAUSAL relationship between the virus and the birth defect microcephaly.

Further microcephaly is not a new affliction. Per the Boston children's hospital website it affects 25,000 children a year in the United States. That number is significantly higher than the number of cases they have had in South America correlated with zika virus. Brazil the most heavily hit area has only been able to CONFIRM about 3,000 cases of the birth defect.

I guess I am just saying if you were not worried about microcephaly before you probably shouldn't be now.

You all of course have to make the decisions that you are most comfortable with. And if erroring on the side of caution gives you peace of mind, MORE POWER TO YOU!

i just just think a few months from now this will have had very little impact on the U.S. And will have been long forgotten.

TTCBabyW · January 2016

Freaky stuff.....let's hope it's just a scare!!!

ecb3588 · January 2016

I agree with @PCOSat25. I am a PA in a hospital, so I am admittedly pretty immune to the fear of this kind of thing. It won't be a blip on the radar of things I'm worrying about. But being cautious never hurt anyone, and everyone has their own worries and concerns, so it's understandable if this is freaking some people out!

mskeenan · January 2016

Not going to lie this has me pretty freaked out also . My MIL called my husband and informed us we should wait two years before we do our first embryo transfer bc of it . Not gonna happen .

I think ink if and when it does become a real problem I'll just take some serious precautions to avoid exposure . Will be doing a lot of things indoors .

caitiemae · January 2016

Haven't started freaking out yet, but I am a little worried to see how this is spreading once it gets warmer out. I live in Houston and we've had a few cases of people who caught it in South America. Luckily, its been cool and dry so the mosquitos aren't too active yet. If this starts to pick up in the US though, I'll definitely will be limiting time outdoors and loading up on bug spray. The one thing that I read that makes it look like it might not end up a huge issue in the US is the fact that this is the same mosquito that carries dengue fever, yet we never hear of anyone getting that in the US. With our air conditioning and mosquito control, we're far less likely to have the huge outbreak like they have in Brazil.

HBamama2B · January 2016

@PCOSat25 unfortunately much of what you said was inaccurate/misrepresented. Ladies who are traveling or considering traveling during what could be their first trimester/active cycle should monitor the latest CDC recommendations and discuss plans with their specific RE/OB and listen to their doctor.

Quick run down:
1) the issue in Brazil is the increase in cases of microcephaly in a small area over less than a year, not the total number, thus comparing to the US this does not create a useful picture. The affected areas of Brazil saw a 2,600% increase in microcephaly from 146 cases in 2014 to 4,000 in 2015. This brings concern of a mutation in the virus.
2) Zika is the only virus of its type that has been conclusively shown to cross placenta and affect the fetus. (Dengue and other fevers do not).
3) Zika has been linked to negative impacts on fetuses, including but not limited to microcephaly in Brazil (fetuses with issues tested positive for the virus upon autopsy or examination). Microcephaly has not yet been noted in cases in Colombia or other countries.
4) Zika doesn't stay in the blood stream long, most likely your RE will be able to give you specific information based on the timing of your cycle and travel as to what is safe.
5) Zika can be mild or asymptomatic in most individuals and is only a concern in that there 'may' be a mutated form or lack of immunity coverage now that it has been transported to the American continents that could impact fetal health.
6) 63% of Americans live in areas where a mosquito population capable of transmitting the virus thrives. There are currently no vaccines or approved methods to prevent this infection from reaching the US* (some genetic mosquitos have been successful in eradicating 99% of Zika infected mosquito populations in 2 areas of Brazil.) It is highly likely that Zika will spread into the US in 2016.

Comparing this to Ebola (a different class of virus transmitted in a different way), is not useful and doesn't give an accurate picture of whether or not it should impact our travel. Freaking out also won't help, but staying informed will.

I have a trip to Costa Rica the first weekend of March. It is not on the CDC list, but every country around it is. It has had one non-internal originating case of identified Zika that the patient caught while traveling to Colombia. The CR version of cdc fumigated the patients house and surrounding areas after Dx. The patient was treated the day after returning to CR. This patient was atypical in that he had severe symptoms and sought medical help quickly, helping them to limit his impact on the local mosquito population. These are the kind of things you should be studying about where you may travel or where you live if you have concerns. The current OB/CDC stance is that until there is better understanding btwn the causality of Zika and fetal impacts, women who have conceived should avoid travel to affected areas.

Currently my OBs are maintaining that I should be prepared to cancel if anything further occurs in Costa Rica, and will make the final call mid-February if we should cancel out of an abundance of caution. As of now, I plan to go unless the situation in CR changes, but will take the advice of my OB /CDC regarding travel as I would with any other risks.

riveridgional · January 2016

Just my experience from another board also seems to show that women who don't live in mosquito prone areas are much more likely to be relaxed about it, downplay the risk, and tell other women nit to worry about it. In places like South Louisiana, however, air conditioning, screens, etc. do little to keep mosquitos out of the house, especially in the summer. I've been having at least 1 mosquito in my house the last few weeks and it's "winter" when they're usually not out much. Am I freaking out about it? Not currently, but I do think once mosquitos really pick up, it's only a matter of time before it spreads like West Nile. I know a few too many people who have contracted West Nile to think this won't be a real risk. So, I am concerned and plan on taking extra precautions/limiting my outdoor time when mosquitos really come out. Some mosquitoes were out yesterday during the Mardi Gras parades. So, I'm starting by wearing the Victorias Secret perfume (Bombshell) that happens to repel mosquitos. Also, we're making sure not to travel to any countries where the virus has spread until the causal effects are more fully studied.

oxinfree · January 2016

how do you know Victoria Secret's "Bombshell" perfume repels mosquitos? Is that a legit thing @riveridgional - if so.. amazing!

EDITED
omg - quick google search proves it. It just feels too good to be true hahaha
amazing

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eau-de-repellent-victorias-secret-perfume-turns-off-mosquitoes/

riveridgional · February 2016

@oxinfree yeah. A lot of guys actually wear it when they go fishing. Strange, I know, but true...

ETA: I didn't know it was only effective for 2 hours, though. That's good to know.

JeNYCeee · February 2016

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/01/30/464740275/whats-the-best-way-to-keep-mosquitoes-from-biting

Bombshell is on this list. I like the Cutter Eucalyptus idea too. I've also been freaking out about this in New York because I am a mosquito magnet. Keeping up-to-date on the CDC recommendations is the best we all can do. It looks like information about this virus is going to increase and change consistently and drastically in the coming months, and you definitely want to be on top of it. My husband and I cancelled our trip to Miami in May already. I'm too much of a worry wart, and who knows what the situation will be like then.

ecb3588 · February 2016

I guess all I am saying is that in response to the initial question, no I am not freaking out. I am currently in the 2 ww and on my first day back to work, I was given a patient who had a triple threat of influenza a, strep, and bacterial pneumonia and another patient with zoster. Luckily, I was able to get someone else to take those patients. For me personally, the here and now is much scarier. I don't think the mention of ebola was meant to compare the 2 viruses, but rather to compare the media responses. It is everyone's job to stay informed and be smart about this stuff. I wouldn't recommend jet setting off to Brazil or any other endemic areas right now, nor would I recommend being careless about mosquitoes. I would never encourage anyone to just blow it off. Stay informed, stay up to date. But do it by methods such as the CDC and your physician. Don't be affected by the mass panic effect of the media.

And I am intrigued about the perfume! Good luck to everyone!

PCOSat25 · February 2016

@erinscaren you are exactly right! My mention of ebola was not at all to compare the viruses themselves. It was to give another example of a virus turned into a huge public health scare by the media when it caused little to no real threat (at least the the U.S.). This can include swine flu, SARS, avian flu...the list goes on and on.

i swear since i was a CHILD there has been a flu/virus every year that is going to be devastating. The devastating results never seem to materialize. NOT THAT I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT. But I just don't really take the media information as accurate anymore.

i prefer to do my own research to determine for myself if there is something to worry about. For now I don't see anything to worry about with Zika.

I would NEVER in a million years consider putting my TTC journey on hold for this. My husband and I have been at it for two years with no success. If this spring/summer is my time I am sure as hell not going to miss it due to fear of some virus...

khcraig · June 2016

Why aren't more people talking about this? It could potentially be very devastating...very soon.

rmarble23 · June 2016

There is another thread on this as well... Freaks me out as I am delicious to mosquitos no matter what I do

dragonfaerie · June 2016

They have not shown that Deet or Picaridin is dangerous, even when pregnant. Sawyer's Picaridin or Deet offwoods (I think with at least 25% Deet) are effective in repelling the Zika mosquitos. NATURAL repellants (i.e. geraniol, citrus, mint, etc.) do not seem to be effective against them at all. Make sure you cover up, spray yourself and your clothes, and try to keep breeding grounds away from your own house. The cases that are in the US right now are from people who were traveling, not from the mosquitos being in those states.

KLake42 · June 2016

I am stocking up on DEET for when I'm going to be outside for more than a couple minutes, and I just ordered the Cutter Eucalyptus stuff for daily use. I'm also going to start spraying my yard. I've begun the habit of using DEET when I am outside, and so far, no mosquito bites for me yet.

I'm in Georgia, where mosquitoes thrive. I'm also paying attention to the fact that the CDC is freaking out about there being no funding available to address this, and the near certainty that there will be places within the US with mosquito-borne zika this summer.

I know a very smart (professor-type) public health person who sees this as a serious threat, someone who normally is telling people to calm down (about ebola, etc.). If she's concerned, then I think this is a real problem.

Of course, the people most likely to be affected (as with any epidemic) are the poor, who have fewer resources for daily mosquito repellent, less a/c, more mandatory time outside (waiting for public transit, working, etc.).

mamma1614 · June 2016

I'm pretty worried, It's hard not to get bitten in the summer. I have a bite from yesterday right now!

lilmissslp · June 2016

Yeah now I'm getting nervous. They love me! I have 7 bites on one ankle alone. We're just redoing our back deck and I start summer vacation in a couple weeks and I really want to enjoy sitting outside

Schmex704 · June 2016

The Honest Company has a bug repellent too. I think I might give that a try. Even in SoCal we get mosquitos every now and then and for sure they freak me out.

vssbrm · June 2016

I would research the honest company and their bug spray before using it. They are getting busted on so many of their products right now. I just bought the Sawyer spray, after doing a ton of research it seems to be one of the best.

lilmissslp · June 2016

@vssbrm that's what I want to buy as well but can't seem to find it. What store did you purchase it from?

dragonfaerie · June 2016

Just a repeat everyone: Please keep in mind that CDC has said that the natural bug repellants (i.e. Geraniol, lemon eucalyptus, etc.) are NOT effective against the Zika-bearing mosquitos. Your best options are Sawyer's Picaridin or OFF Deepwoods.

rmarble23 · June 2016

@vssbrm i just bought that one too
@lilmissslp i got it on amazon for like $4

lilmissslp · June 2016

Thanks @rmarble23

vssbrm · June 2016

Ditto @dragonfaerie

@lilmissslp I got it at REI, but it looks like cabelas and bass pro shop also carry it.

KLake42 · June 2016

@dragonfaerie I thought the CDC did recommend synthetic lemon eucalyptus products, which tested comparably with DEET. I'm planning to use that daily, and to lean on DEET whenever I'm actually outside for more than a minute.

lilmissslp · June 2016

Thanks @vssbrm

dragonfaerie · June 2016

@KLake42The article I read (which is on this board somewhere) said that natural products did not work. Maybe I misread, but that's what I remember from it.

vssbrm · June 2016

https://www.consumerreports.org/insect-repellents/mosquito-repellents-that-best-protect-against-zika/

The article @dragonfaerie was referencing.

KLake42 · June 2016

@dragonfaerie I think you're right. Synthetic lemon eucalyptus isn't the same as natural lemon eucalyptus oil. But it smells a little better than deet (if you don't mind smelling like pine floor cleaner).

lilmissslp · June 2016

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus was very good but other natural ones were not according to consumer reports. I took a screen shot

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