Travel smart and safe. Be aware of where the Zika epidemic lies and avoid these countries if you are pregnant or trying to conceive (both men and women)!

The Zika epidemic has hit many countries. Do you know which ones they are?

I've had 2 friends (who are interested in getting pregnant) book a recent deal to Cuba and Argentina, respectively, last week. They didn't realize that there's tons of great travel deals out there currently because the Zika epidemic has taken over that country. After I spoke with them, they sadly had to cancel the trip! (sorry, ladies :( )
I don't want this to be you, either.

Many of my patients are asking me about where they can or cannot travel, so I wanted to point you all in the right direction.

The CDC is an excellent source of information on the Zika virus:

https://www.cdc.gov/zika

Check out the map below to see where Zika is the most active currently. These are the places you should be avoiding if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant (both men and women!).

In general, I recommend avoiding the following regions:

-Certain parts of the USA- currently Miami (Florida), Brownsville (Texas) and all of Puerto Rico

-All of  Mexico

-All of  Central America

-All of South America

-All of the Caribbean

-All the Pacific Islands

-Certain parts of Africa-currently Cape Verde

-Certain parts of Asia-currently Singapore

                                                                              
If you do have to travel to these destinations, I would recommend the following:

1) Protecting yourself as best possible against mosquitoes. You can read my post on this here.

2) Practice safe sex, and always use condoms!

3) Get tested for the Zika virus when you return, if you are concerned over being infected


4) The CDC recommends the following if you are interested in pregnancy and have traveled an area with Zika:
-WOMEN should wait at least 8 weeks after symptoms start or last possible exposure before trying to get pregnant
-MEN should wait at least 6 months after symptoms start or last possible exposure before trying to get pregnant (this is because Zika lives longer in semen than in other body fluids)

Safe travels everyone! To continue with this trend on Zika information, tomorrow I will share ways on how you can prevent mosquito bites; thus, exposure to Zika.



**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**