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Zika assessment

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Services are available at MinuteClinic (virtual care also available)

Walk-ins welcome — no appointment necessary!

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Most insurance accepted. Check your coverage or estimate the cost of your visit if you’re uninsured or prefer to pay out-of-pocket.

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Need to know more about Zika evaluation? We’ve got you covered.

What is Zika?

Zika is a virus carried in the blood and body fluids. It can be transmitted:

  • By a pregnant woman to her fetus
  • During sex with an infected partner
  • When an infected mosquito bites a human (2 mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus)

Many people infected with Zika will not have symptoms. Others may experience mild illness. Typically, most people get better without medical help. At this time, there is no specific medicine or vaccine to protect against Zika.

In a small number of cases, Zika can cause severe illness such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which affects the nervous system. If you’re pregnant while infected, congenital problems may develop with your fetus.

What symptoms can occur with Zika?

Zika symptoms typically last for 2 to 7 days. Most people get well a few days or a week after being bitten. The most common symptoms include:

  • Eye redness: You may get pinkeye (conjunctivitis). This is an inflammation of the white part of the eye and inside of the eyelid.
  • Fever: Your body temperature rises above its normal range of 98.6 F (37 C).
  • Headache: Your scalp may be painful or tender.
  • Joint and/or muscle pain: You may feel discomfort, aches and soreness.
  • Skin rash: Your skin may become red, bumpy, itchy and irritated.

Getting help

MinuteClinic providers can assess symptoms and assist you in creating a treatment plan to reduce discomfort and help promote recovery.

  1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.
  2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

    If you made your appointment online:
    Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

    If you made your appointment in the clinic:
    Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

    If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
    To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

  3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
  4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
  5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Zika causes, symptoms and treatment

Lower your risk by avoiding mosquito bites:

  • Control mosquitoes in and around your home: Use screens on windows and doors. Eliminate standing water by emptying containers such as buckets, planters, flowerpots, toys, tires or trash bins. Use standing water treatment tablets for containers that you cannot empty.
  • Protect infants by covering baby carriers and strollers with mosquito netting.
  • Sleep under insecticide-treated bed netting.
  • Treat clothing, footwear and tents with permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing and gear: Do not use directly on your skin.
  • Use a mosquito spray with DEET or another EPA-registered repellent.
  • Use mosquito nets when sleeping outdoors.
  • Wear light-colored clothing that covers your arms and legs especially at night when you’re outdoors.

  • Protect against mosquito bites: During the first week after being infected.
  • Use condoms during sex. Even after the symptoms go away, the virus can be passed to a partner. Note: For safety and effectiveness, always follow the condom product label instructions.

  • Pacific Islands
  • South America
  • Southeast Asia
  • Tropical regions of Africa

Research areas of active outbreaks on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website before you go: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.

 

REFERENCES USED AS SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE: