Why Pregnant Women Alert Zika

Pregnant women alert to Zika because:

1. Severe Birth Defects: Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects, most notably microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition in which babies are born with unusually small heads and impaired brain development. Microcephaly can lead to intellectual disability, developmental delays, poor growth, seizures, and other serious lifelong challenges.

2. Miscarriage and Stillbirth: Zika infection during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth.

3. Neurological Problems: In addition to microcephaly, Zika infection in pregnant women has been linked to other neurological problems in babies and infants, including eye abnormalities, hearing loss, and neurological developmental disorders.

4. Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Pregnant women infected with Zika virus are more likely to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological condition that leads to muscle weakness, paralysis, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.

5. Congenital Zika Syndrome: Babies born to mothers infected with Zika virus during pregnancy may present with a cluster of symptoms known as Congenital Zika Syndrome. This can include microcephaly, eye abnormalities, hearing loss, limb defects, and other health issues.

Due to the potential severe consequences for pregnant women and developing babies, it's crucial to take preventive measures against Zika infection, including avoiding areas where the virus is actively transmitted, practicing safe sex, and using insect repellents.