Zika

stella1011 · October 2016

How is everyone dealing with Zika?! I'm supposed to be traveling to Juarez Mexico in two weeks for work(for a really important mtg). I'm trying to figure out how to get out of the trip without being obvious that I'm pregnant since it's still so early and no one at the office knows. I'm just about 6 weeks. I called my OB and they said to refer to the CDC website which is terribly unhelpful as it has the whole US and Mexico highlighted for Zika areas. Sigh.... Any advice?! I feel like I will be seen as a slacker if I don't go...but I know my baby is priority number 1! Ughhhh!!

neludelu · October 2016

I would tell your boss.

Mashunya425 · October 2016

I would definitely not go. I would choose a singular person that has the authority to pull you off the trip to tell,in confidence, why you cannot go.

xomarisaxo · October 2016

stella1011 said:

How is everyone dealing with Zika?! I'm supposed to be traveling to Juarez Mexico in two weeks for work(for a really important mtg). I'm trying to figure out how to get out of the trip without being obvious that I'm pregnant since it's still so early and no one at the office knows. I'm just about 6 weeks. I called my OB and they said to refer to the CDC website which is terribly unhelpful as it has the whole US and Mexico highlighted for Zika areas. Sigh.... Any advice?! I feel like I will be seen as a slacker if I don't go...but I know my baby is priority number 1! Ughhhh!!

So I was trying to get pregnant since May! In that time I had 3 friends getting married . 2 of their bachelorette parties were in Mexico & Punta Cana. I did my research and found out a lot about Zika in that time

1. A large percentage of the mosquitos with the virus only bite in Day time - and in doors. So if your meeting is inside wear long sleeves and Pants

2. Hotels generally spray the rooms and the grounds twice a day

3. Off deep woods is the best and get a little bracelet that repels mosquitos . I didn't get bit once ! I still understand your hesitation though.

Edit: cut off half my words

mombod · October 2016

I was supposed to go to Florida (near zika zone) for a work training in Sept. I told them I was uncomfortable travelling to the area because of zika. (I wasnt even pregnant but we were trying). I didnt get into details but they agreed to let me cancel. You should not have to go into details as they are private health matters. If you are comfortable with your boss just tell them and ask them to not disclose.
My best friend is getting married in Mexico in December and we cancelled going. I am sad Im going to miss it. The risk is low but it only takes 1 bite.

Knottie42089123 · October 2016

Juarez is not in a coastal area, so there's probably much less Zika risk. Take precautions, however. I would be more concerned with how ghetto fabulous Juarez is and be vigilant at all times.

MotherofDragons · October 2016

I live in Orlando so I just wear bug spray when I'm outside. I have gotten one bite since April.

MotherofDragons · October 2016

And the one bite was at my son's birthday party that was outdoors and I didn't wear bug spray.

stella1011 · October 2016

Knottie42089123 said:

Juarez is not in a coastal area, so there's probably much less Zika risk. Take precautions, however. I would be more concerned with how ghetto fabulous Juarez is and be vigilant at all times.

LOL....yes! Thank you-that is one more big reason to try to get out of this trip! The ghetto fabulousness of Juarez!

That's where our products are manufactured...otherwise I would not go anywhere near that place! I'm just conflicted because I recently got a big promotion and really need to meet the team there and make a good impression with leadership. Oh well! I think I will send a report instead. I'm sure they will all understand once I'm at a point where I feel comfortable telling my team that I'm preggers! Ughh and I just remembered I have another work trip to FL and a bach party in south FL. Damn zika is really messing up my plans! Grrr!

BelhurstBride · October 2016

stella1011 said:

Ughh and I just remembered I have another work trip to FL and a bach party in south FL. Damn zika is really messing up my plans! Grrr!

NPR posted an article on Zika yesterday, specially in reference to it being state side. It sounds like it's in very specific areas within Miami-Dade County. You might want to look up the specifics before cancelling those trips.

KB00 · October 2016

I live in Broward County in Florida (the county directly above Miami-Dade) and there is no real concern here. Depending on where you plan to visit- Zika could really be a non issue.

QueenNub · October 2016

In south louisiana, we have a large population of the Zika carrying mosquitos but the tropical weather is slowly disappearing so I'm in almost in the clear. plus, no reports of anyone getting Zika from our state.

QueenNub · October 2016

I said that to say, the threat is here but it's not alarming maybe that's the case there. maybe mosquitoes are not biting now since it's almost November.

sarahannexvi · October 2016

I hadn't even thought of it until this post was made, but I'm supposed to be going to Punta Cana in late January. I'll have to check with my doctor, but my husband claims there isn't any Zika there even though the CDC says there might be. Now I'm just a ball of nerves because his dad is booking the flights since it's a business trip and his parents work for him. It's too early for me to comfortably tell them why I can't go in case the doctor won't let me. I'm a stay at home mom so I have no excuse about work. Also have two people lined up to watch our one year old while we're away.

QueenNub · October 2016

Do mosquito bite in January in Punta Cuna? mosquitos usually thrive in tropical weather.
Also, I thought Zika was concern mainly in the 1st trimester.... I could be wrong though.

michaela0704 · October 2016

I got bit a ton this summer season... I think it is extremely unlikely based on where I live although still possible. No matter what I get nailed like crazy, every single year.

I still plan on asking my doctor about it... I wish they would just test you so you knew whether you had it or not and could take more extensive precautions going forward...

sarahannexvi · October 2016

@QueenNub I have no idea

guess I'll just have to wait until Monday

doodleoodle · October 2016

I don't mean to be one of those "doomsday preppers" and honestly I must not super concerned because I'm planning to go to Orlando in January, but just thought this article addressed what @QueenNub said.

Edited because i forgot to post the link like a dummy lol https://www.google.com/amp/www.nbcnews.com/storyline/zika-virus-outbreak/amp/study-finds-zika-damages-babies-all-stages-pregnancy-n532086?client=safari

sarahannexvi · October 2016

Oh dear god

all of this really makes me not want to go or for my husband to go. I told him if he gets a single mosquito bite I'm not touching him for three weeks and he's wearing a condom until the baby is born

paranoia at it's best

merrylea · October 2016

@sarahannexvi - Actually, the new CDC guidelines are that if a male travels in a Zika infected area, even if doesn't show any symptoms, he is not supposed to have unprotected sex for 6 months.

SIL is getting married in Jamaica in April. I am now not going, and DH and I have decided that after he gets back from it, we are going to just abstain from sex until after the baby is born. Not. Kidding....

lizerspitz · October 2016

My husband is traveling to Honduras in one week. My doctor knows and echoed @merrylea - no sex without condom for at least 6 months even if he has no symptoms. I am happy to not be traveling with him. We're both a little prudish and we keep saying "we'll just have to get creative" but I don't know that we will be having many sexy times while I'm pregnant. 6 months is a long time.

Good luck to all of you traveling. Personally, I would do anything it takes to get out of it.

sarahannexvi · October 2016

Oh for the love of god! Definitely passing on this information in hopes of getting him to change his mind about going!

erkie · October 2016

DH just got out of a work trip to miami since it is still so early in the first tri. We did have to get a note from the doctor to supply to the company. My doc said that if he ends up having to go in the future (and that is possible sometime in the spring), that we have to at least use condoms or, better, abstain for the duration of the pregnancy. Condoms are not guaranteed to stop the transmission of the virus, and it's absolutely not worth the risk.

Ahutch428 · October 2016

Hubby and I went to Mexico at the beginning of July. At the time the recommendation was to wait 12 weeks which we did. Now since the guidelines changed, I'm wondering if they will test me.

heath313 · October 2016

I had to cancel my punta Cana trip this spring due to Zika, per drs orders.

arielleg-2 · October 2016

Your Dr will most likely tell you not to travel to Punta Cana. I had to postpone my trip in Feb to the Dominican as my doctor said that even though the risk may be low, would you ever forgive yourself if you did get bit by that one bad mosquito! That really put it into perspective for me even though I'm dreaming of a white sandy beach!!

helloaustin123 · October 2016

Do they have any testing you can do when he gets back , for the male, if he travels to a place with Zika mosquitoes?

keniialise · October 2016

At my first appointment they told me not to travel outside of the us or to Florida while pregnant. My family is all in Florida, it being a really long drive from Texas I'm totally using my doctors advice to get out of family events until baby is here.

merrylea · October 2016

@helloaustin123 - they will not do any testing on males if you don't present any symptoms. The labs are just too backed up.

delujm0 · October 2016

I love to travel, but here is my general stance on Zika. there just hasn't been enough research done to prove that it is at all safe to be in a zika-infested area at any stage of pregnancy. and the 6 month guideline for men hasn't been fully tested yet either....for all we know it could be longer than that.

Unless you live in a zika-infested area like south Florida it's actually pretty easy to not get zika. just don't go to those places until your kid is born. I plan for this to be my last baby, but if it wasn't I'd probably avoid those areas until I was done having kids entirely, or until enough research has been done that guidelines are changed.

We have a family friend getting married in Jamaica in december, and DH and I are not going. I'm sure Sandals sprays the shit out of their properties, and mosquitoes aren't as big of an issue in winter, but I still wasn't willing to chance it even before I knew I'd be pregnant at the time. too much to lose and not enough to gain. the Caribbean will still be there in a few years. it's hard to have to find an excuse to avoid these trips when you don't want people to know you're pregnant yet, but usually a "we're hoping to be pregnant soon" is enough, or a doctor's letter if it is a job related travel situation.

amberp1528 · October 2016

Let HR know they have to keep your confidence and they can let you boss know you not going. That way they do not need to know.

sarahannexvi · October 2016

Well my doctor told us to cancel our trip as expected. She's also trying to get lab work ordered for my husband to get tested for it since he was in Puerto Rico with the Army in April.

shsmart13-2 · November 2016

A friend of mine is going on a cruise to the Bahamas in March. They were planning to come off of birth control and start TTC shortly after. Her OB told her to stay on birth control for 6 months and to wait that long to TTC. She stated that they could go to the health department at a minimum of 2 weeks after returning from their trip to be tested but both her and DH had to be tested. The OB said it was $350 per person to be tested and insurance does not cover it. This is in VA so I'm not sure if other health departments charge as much.

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