CDC Updates Recommendations For Couples Trying To Conceive Following Zika Exposure

The Hill: Couples with Zika risk told to wait much longer to become pregnant
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is stepping up its warnings about the Zika virus for couples trying to become pregnant. CDC officials said Friday that women should wait at least six months before trying to get pregnant if their partner has possible Zika exposure. The previous recommendation had been eight weeks…” (Ferris, 9/30).

NPR: CDC Tells Men At Risk Of Zika To Put Off Procreation For 6 Months
“Men who may have been exposed to the Zika virus should wait at least six months before trying to conceive a child with a partner, regardless of whether they ever had any symptoms, federal health officials are recommending. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously recommended that only men with Zika symptoms had to wait that long. Those who may have been exposed to Zika but never developed any symptoms were told to hold off on trying to conceive for just eight weeks. But on Friday the agency published revised recommendations based on new evidence indicating the Zika virus can remain in semen longer than had been thought and can be spread by men even if they don’t have symptoms…” (Stein, 9/30).

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