Home » Information » Medical Tests » Zika Virus Test

Zika Virus Test

What is a Zika virus test?

Zika is a viral infection usually spread by mosquitos. It can also spread through sex with an infected person or from a pregnant woman to her baby. A Zika virus test looks for signs of the infection in blood or urine.

Mosquitos that carry the Zika virus are most common in areas of the world with tropical climates. These include islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific, and parts of Africa, Central America, South America, and Mexico. Mosquitos carrying the Zika virus have also been found in parts of the United States, including South Florida.

Most people infected with Zika have no symptoms or mild symptoms that last a few days to a week. But a Zika infection can cause serious complications if you are pregnant. A Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly. Microcephaly can severely affect the development of a baby’s brain. Zika infections during pregnancy have also been linked to an increased risk of other birth defects, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

In rare cases, children and adults infected with Zika may get a disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). GBS is a disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack part of the nervous system. GBS is serious but treatable. If you get GBS, you will probably recover within a few weeks.

Other names: Zika Antibody Test, Zika RT-PCR Test , Zika test

What is it used for?

A Zika virus test is used to find out if you have a Zika infection. It is mostly used on pregnant women who have recently traveled to an area where there is a risk of Zika infection.

Why do I need a Zika virus test?

You may need a Zika virus test if you are pregnant and have recently traveled to an area where there is a risk of Zika infection. You may also need a Zika test if you are pregnant and have had sex with a partner who traveled to one of these areas.

A Zika test might be ordered if you have symptoms of Zika. Most people with Zika don’t have symptoms, but when there are symptoms, they often include:

  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Red eyes (conjunctivitis)

What happens during a Zika virus test?

A Zika virus test is usually a blood test or a urine test.

If you are getting a Zika blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

See also  Barium Swallow

If you are getting a Zika test in urine, ask your health care provider for instructions on how to provide your sample.

If you are pregnant and your prenatal ultrasound shows the possibility of microcephaly, your health care provider may recommend a procedure called amniocentesis to check for Zika. Amniocentesis is a test that looks at the fluid that surrounds an unborn baby (amniotic fluid). For this test, your provider will insert a special hollow needle into your belly and withdraw a small sample of fluid for testing.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don’t any special preparations for a Zika virus test.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk of having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruise at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

There are no known risks to a urine test.

Amniocentesis may cause some cramping or pain in your belly. There is a small chance the procedure will cause a miscarriage. Talk to your health care provider about the benefits and risks of this test.

What do the results mean?

A positive Zika test result probably means you have a Zika infection. A negative result can mean you aren’t infected or you were tested too soon for the virus to show up in testing. If you think you were exposed to the virus, talk to your health care provider about when or if you need to be retested.

If you are diagnosed with Zika and are pregnant, you can start to prepare for your baby’s possible health problems before he or she is born. While not all babies exposed to Zika have birth defects or any health problems, many children born with Zika have long-lasting special needs. Talk to your health care provider about how to get support and health care services should you need them. Early intervention may make a difference in your child’s health and quality of life.

If you are diagnosed with Zika and are not pregnant, but would like to become pregnant in the future, talk to your health care provider. Currently, there is no evidence of Zika-related pregnancy complications in women who have fully recovered from Zika. Your provider can tell you how long you should wait before trying to have a baby and if you need to retest.

Is there anything else I need to know about a Zika virus test?

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should take steps to reduce your risk of getting a Zika infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women avoid travelling in areas that may put you at risk for Zika infection. If you can’t avoid travel or if you live in one of these areas, you should:

  • Apply an insect repellent containing DEET on your skin and clothing. DEET is safe and effective for pregnant women.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Use screens on windows and doors
  • Sleep under a mosquito net
See also  Epithelial Cells in Urine

References

  1. ACOG: Women’s Healthcare Physicians [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; c2017. Background on Zika Virus [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/ACOG-Departments/Zika-Virus/Background-on-Zika-Virus
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Birth Defects: Facts About Microcephaly [updated 2017 Nov 21; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/microcephaly.html
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; CDC’s Response to Zika: What To Know If Your Baby Was Born With Congenital Zika Syndrome [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/testing-follow-up/zika-syndrome-birth-defects.html
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Questions About Zika; [updated 2017 Apr 26; cited 2018 May 8]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/questions.html
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika and Pregnancy: Exposure, Testing and Risks [updated 2017 Nov 27; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/testing-follow-up/exposure-testing-risks.html
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika and Pregnancy: If Your Family has been Affected [updated 2018 Feb 15; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/family/index.html
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika and Pregnancy: Pregnant Women [updated 2017 Aug 16; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/protect-yourself.html
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika and Pregnancy: Testing and Diagnosis [updated 2018 Jan 19; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/testing-follow-up/testing-and-diagnosis.html
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika Virus: Overview [updated 2017 Aug 28; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/overview.html
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika Virus: Prevent Mosquito Bites [updated 2018 Feb 5; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika Virus: Sexual Transmission and Prevention [updated 2018 Jan 31; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/sexual-transmission-prevention.html
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika Virus: Symptoms [updated 2017 May 1; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/symptoms.html
  13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Zika Virus: Testing for Zika [updated 2018 Mar 9; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/diagnosis.html
  14. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2018. Zika Virus Testing [updated 2018 Apr 16; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/zika-virus-testing
  15. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2018. Zika virus disease: Symptoms and causes; 2017 Aug 23 [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/zika-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353639
  16. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2018. Zika virus disease: Diagnosis and treatment; 2017 Aug 23 [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/zika-virus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353645
  17. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co. Inc.; c2018. Zika Virus Infection [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/arboviruses,-arenaviruses,-and-filoviruses/zika-virus-infection
  18. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS); Zika virus infection [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/12894/zika-virus-infection
  19. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests
  20. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Guillain-Barré Syndrome Fact Sheet [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Guillain-Barre-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet
  21. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2018. Health Encyclopedia: A to Zika: All About the Mosquito-Borne Disease [cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid;=259
  22. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2018. Health Information: Amniocentesis: Test Overview [updated 2017 Jun 6; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 2 screens].https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/medicaltest/amniocentesis/hw1810.html
  23. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2018. Health Information: Zika Virus: Topic Overview [updated 2017 May 7; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/special/zika-virus/abr6757.html
  24. World Health Organization [Internet]. Geneva (SUI): World Health Organization; c2018. Zika virus [updated 2016 Sep 6; cited 2018 Apr 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en
See also  Chlamydia Test