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Zika Virus – 10 Facts You Should Know
7. Zika Virus: How long Zika virus stays in a human host?
In January 2016, the government of El Salvador urged women not to get pregnant until 2018 in the effort of minimize birth defects caused by the spread of Zika virus. Officials in Colombia, Ecuador, and Jamaica have also warned women to avoid pregnancy, although only for the next several months.
Photo by Corey Balazowich , licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
As of Oct 17th, 2016, there is still no proven evidence to support the claim that Zika virus stays in the blood stream for a week or 10 days. Given the uncertainty, CDC has issued this recommendation for a safe period to try to conceive if you have traveled to the infected area:
“Men who have traveled to a place with Zika should wait at least 6 months after travel (or 6 months after symptoms started if they get sick) before trying to conceive with their partner. Women should wait at least 8 weeks after travel (or 8 weeks after symptoms started if they get sick) before trying to get pregnant. The waiting period is longer for men because Zika stays in semen longer than in other body fluids.”
Also, use condoms during intercourses if you or your partner have been traveled to the infected areas.
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