02 Oct 17

Things You Can Do To Protect Yourself From The Zika Virus #BuzzOffZika

This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Motherhood on behalf of Texas Department of State Health Services.

 As Texans, we are definitely no strangers to mosquitoes, however, I know that not all of us take the Zika Virus seriously. The climate in Texas makes mosquito season is a year-round concern and a serious concern for all of us with an elevated risk of Zika transmission beginning in the summer and continuing through the late fall. We can all do our part to prevent the spread of the Zika virus by taking simple steps to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.


In 2015 when I was pregnant with Mila one of my biggest concerns was getting Zika virus because if I contracted it I could pass it to Mila. The pictures of the babies being born in central and South America with microcephaly was always heavy on my mind. Children born with microcephaly have brains that may never develop properly, which could cause debilitating and life-long effects for children.

How is Zika virus transmitted? 

Most people will get Zika from an infected mosquito, but Zika also can be spread through blood transfusion and sexual transmission. Zika also can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy. This can lead to severe birth defects. Currently, there is no treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus.

For more information on transmission, visit texaszika.org/transmission.htm.



How do we protect ourselves?

We can protect ourselves, our families and our communities from the Zika virus by taking simple steps and making them a part of our daily routines: 
  • Wear EPA-approved insect repellent. 
  • Keep mosquitoes out of your home by using screens and closing doors. 
  • Drain any standing water in and around your home, if possible. 
  • Treat standing water that cannot be removed with larvicide, such as mosquito “dunks.”
  • Create barriers between you and mosquitoes.
  • Wear light-weight, long-sleeve shirts, and pants.
  • Use screens on your windows and doors.
  • Use mosquito nets to protect babies younger than two months.


The best protection to avoid Zika is to prevent mosquito breeding and protect yourself from mosquito bites. For additional tips and resources on Zika prevention, visit texaszika.org/prevention.htm. 

If a pregnant woman or her loved one is traveling: 
  • If you’re pregnant, don’t travel to areas where the Zika virus is active.  You can find links to travel information at TexasZika.org.
  • If you’ve traveled to an area with a risk of Zika, talk to your doctor about the risks of transmission and whether testing might be beneficial.
  • Use condoms or don’t have sex during pregnancy if your partner lives in or has traveled to an area with ongoing Zika transmission.
When you return from a Zika hot spot, continue using insect repellent for at least 21 days. If you’ve been infected with Zika, this will help prevent a mosquito from biting you and then spreading the virus to your family and community. 

For additional resources and recommendations for those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, visit texaszika.org/pregnantwomen.htm. 

For more videos & information click on the links below: 
What is Zika? 

Simple Tips for Zika Prevention 

The Zika Virus and Pregnancy

Keeping Zika Off Your Property



Xoxo,
Ashley Segura
family . Featured . Health . Motherhood . Pregnancy
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