As a pregnant woman, your health and safety should be your number one priority. The compassionate team at Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates also holds your health and that of your unborn child’s as highest priority—which is why they’d like to give you the resources to protect yourself from the Zika virus.

Fever, soreness, headaches, red eyes, and rashes are common symptoms of the Zika virus. Although most people are able to make a full recovery, the Zika virus may pose a more serious threat to your unborn child. The virus is known to cause microcephaly (the birth defect of a baby being born with an abnormally small head), brain damage, developmental disorders, and, in some cases, even the death of the fetus. The Zika virus can remain in the blood for a week, the urine for two weeks and for men, it can stay in the semen and be sexually transmitted for at least two months after contracting the virus.

If you are pregnant, the best way to avoid the Zika virus is to protect yourself against exposure to mosquitos, which are the most common transmitters of the disease. Always remember to use mosquito repellent before you go outside and wear long-sleeved clothing that has been treated with permethrin. Keep your home windows shut tightly, run your air conditioning system often, and stay indoors as much as you possibly can. Above all, avoid traveling to areas with active Zika cases while you are still expecting.

OBGYN Associates in Fairfield and Liberty Township Ohio, urge you to take your safety and that of your child’s into consideration during these last few summer months, and if you think you might be at risk, don’t hesitate to give them a call. Offering a variety of women’s health services, including OBGYN care, genetic testing, contraception, and bone density screening,you can trust the doctors at OBGYN Associates to give you the best ob/gyn care. Give them a call at (513) 221-3800 today to speak with their team about making an appointment for OBGYN care, and be sure to visit them online to find out more information about their many women’s health care services.