Zika Virus And Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Breastfeeding has significant benefits for both mom and her baby. Because breast-beating has so many benefits, women are encouraged to breastfeed where Zika Virus is found. Furthermore, the World Health Organization recommends moms start to breastfeed their baby one hour after birth andbreastfeed at least six months. Mothers who are infected with the Zika Virus during pregnancy should be closelymonitored while breastfeeding. However, current evidence suggests that the benefits of breastfeeding out weight the risk of the Zika Virus through transmission of breast milk.The World Health Organization says that Zika Virus is a mosquito born virus transmitted by Aedes Mosquitos and is known to circulate in Africa, America, Asia, Pacific and otherparts of the world. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitos become infected whenthey feed off of one person who is already infected by the virus. Infected mosquitos can spread the virus through bites. Additionally, health experts believe that you can catch the ZikaVirus by having unprotected sex with an infected person. Furthermore, doctors are not sure how longthe virus stays in the body. Once you get the Zika Virus, you are immuned for life.The World Health Organization and the Center For Disease Control have linked the Zika Virus to pregnant women and Microcephaly, a birth defect where the baby's head is smaller than normal. Therefore, pregnant women should be carefultraveling abroad. Breastfeeding womenshould also be careful too.Additionally, the World Health Organization hassaid that congress has given billions of dollars to help fight the Zika Virus. It is safe to use insect repellent while pregnant or breastfeeding. Women should try to protect themselves by wearing long sleeve clothing and long pants, use repellent, not travel too muchwhile pregnant or breastfeeding and do not stay out for long periods of timewhere there are mosquitos.In conclusion, protect yourself by listening to the advice of your healthcare professional while pregnant or breastfeeding. Zika Virus is so new that further research needs to be done as far as the transmissibility of Zika Virus in breast milk. To date, there are no known documented cases of the Zika Virus being transmitted through the mom breastfeeding her infant.