WHAT PARENTS AND BABYSITTERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS

Infants and children can be infected with Zika through the bites of two types of mosquitoes. As of January 15, 2017, no cases of Zika have been reported from breastfeeding, and mothers are encouraged to breastfeed, even in Zika areas.

Symptoms include:

• Fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Symptoms go away usually within a few days to a week. Some people infected may not have any symptoms.

• The virus can be passed from a woman to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Pregnancy loss and other pregnancy problems have been reported in women.

• Birth defects, such as microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects, eye defects, hearing loss, and impaired growth, have been reported in babies born to women infected with Zika during pregnancy. Some infants with Zika may not be born with microcephaly but later experience slowed head growth and develop postnatal microcephaly.

   

     Not all babies whose mothers had Zika during pregnancy are born with health problems.

Infection with Zika at later times, (such as, time of birth and early childhood) has not been linked to microcephaly.

    Microcephaly can happen for many reasons, (genetic conditions, infections, and exposure to toxins) are just a few. Some kids with microcephaly can have seizures, vision or hearing problems, and developmental disabilities, others do not have health problems. There is no vaccine or medicine available at this time for Zika.

Preventing Zika

• Prevent mosquito bites by dressing yourself and your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting. 

• In children over 2 months in age, do not apply spray to a child’s face, hands, eyes, mouth, or to irritated or broken skin.

• Control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.

  

      If you or your child have symptoms (of fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes, Fever (≥100.4° F)) take him or her to see a doctor.

Do not use Bug Spray on babies under 2 months of age and do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old!

For more information on the Zika Virus visit;

https://www.cdc.gov/zika/parents/what-parents-should-know.html

https://unsplash.com/search/bug?photo=k-pNQB0koNo

For more information on babysitting and parenting tips please visit my websites:
www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters