An overview of what every woman must know about the Zika virus

If you are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, the Zika virus is probably on your mind. The mosquito-borne virus has potentially devastating consequences for expectant mothers and their babies.

What every woman must know about the Zika virus

Zika is an insect-borne illness transmitted by a certain kind of mosquito. While most people who contract Zika have mild symptoms, the effects for pregnant women are much stronger and include pregnancy loss or a baby born with microcephaly. This condition can change the shape and size of the baby’s head and can include developmental delays, seizures, intellectual disability, and can even be fatal. While health officials have indicated that there is a link between Zika and microcephaly, there are still many variables, such as how far along the mother is, whether the mother could be infected and not pass the virus to the baby, and if pregnancy makes the woman more susceptible to the virus.

What are the symptoms of Zika?

Zika often presents like a mild case of the flu and includes a low fever, aches and pains, a headache, rash, or pink eye symptoms that last for several days to a week. Less than 20% of patients with Zika become seriously ill.

Minimizing the risk

Because pregnant women and their babies are at risk for the most damaging effects of Zika, Dr. Jenkins suggests the following tips to reduce the risk of contracting the disease:

Be cautious about travel to, or sex with a person who has returned from, an area affected with Zika
Wear long sleeves and pants when outside
Use insect repellent

Dr. Taryll Jenkins of Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine understands that patients are concerned about this virus. He encourages his patients who are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, to talk to him.

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Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
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We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L. Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.

Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today, she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.

Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.

Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.

Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.