NHS and Zika virus: I'm due to start a... - Fertility Network UK

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NHS and Zika virus

Xmishell37 profile image
25 Replies

I'm due to start a fresh cycle with my May period (ER likely early June) and have put my life on hold since starting this whole IVF process last June, the NHS seems quite strict when it comes to going abroad and Im so desperate to get away for a while and forget about everything (probably can only do 5 days due to work), Im keen to book a holiday early July as im high risk for OHSS and got it last time so won't be doing a transfer til August, has anyone else went abroad (to Europe -Spain, Italy, Portugal or France) while doing IVF on NHS and this hasn't been an issue? The letters talk about treatment possibly being delayed by 3 months, does anyone know where I could go where there is absolutely no risk of Zika? Every website I read says something different 😒 xx

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Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37
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25 Replies

Zika generally isn’t in Europe - it’s mainly South America, parts of Africa and South Asia. Go ahead and enjoy your holiday ☺️

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Hi Xmishell. As far as I know I’ve not heard of any Zika virus in Europe. Good luck. Diane

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

I go abroad constantly to Europe the only place I haven’t been able to go to that I want to for zeka virus in All these years of treatment is Mexico (I will get there one day 🤣) as it comes on and off the list but nowhere else in the list is somewhere you would be really typically see packages holidays to. This is the nhs webpage my clinic link us to that you’ve probably already seen but as you can see Europe isn’t even one of the continents on there so any country in Europe is fine. I am going to mainland Spain in May and Lanzarote in July and was in gran canaria at Christmas time. Enjoy your break 🤗

nhs.uk/conditions/zika/

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toTwiglet2

Oh thanks for that link, I was given a letter with about 4 different websites and they are all very confusing, your holidays sound lovely I'm very much going to make sure I get away in July ❤️ and I'm so aware it's a total first world problem I am moaning about here but I genuinely feel like my mental health issues suffering with the weather being so terrible in Scotland 90% of the year 😂 thanks ...roll on this next egg retrieval so i can look out my sunglasses 😎 xx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toXmishell37

As a fellow Scot I think it should be mandatory we get to see the sun at least twice a year 🤣 and absolutely a wee sunbathe by the pool has reset and saved my mental health many many times on this road to having a baby! I absolutely get it 🤗 xx

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toTwiglet2

I agree...sunnier climates should be prescribed on NHS! ... It's got to be better than Vitamin D from a bottle, after all it is recommended for fertility 🙃😅 xx

Forevertrying2 profile image
Forevertrying2

Hi there, I went to Tenerife before my last FET and my clinic were fine. I asked about Bali as we want to go and they said we would have to wait 6 month after coming home to have treatment - I agreed as it’s not worth the risk so we put that on hold. I’m going to Lanzarote at the end of May and will have my next FET June / July. My clinic is fine with it xx

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toForevertrying2

Thank you ❤️ feeling much more reassured with the responses on here and going to start looking at holidays asap 😂 xx

Christianbaby profile image
Christianbaby

We went to N. Cyprus IVF for DE and got pregnant my 1st try. No Zika. Good luck! x

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toChristianbaby

Lovely and congratulations ❤️ I feel like knowing my luck I'll be in the 0.01% that's affected 😅 hope you are keeping well 🙃 xx

Mercury363 profile image
Mercury363

I had my ivf in Spain. No mention of it at all during my treatment. Go and relax!

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toMercury363

Thank you I think I will ❤️🙃 I need away from this UK climate!! Xx

Thierry101 profile image
Thierry101

hi lovely, I have travelled before and inbetween ER + transfers, Europe is fine as well as Dubai. Avoid the Caribbean.

They are pretty strict asking the question - but enjoy yourself and go on that holiday x

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toThierry101

Thank you ❤️ one of the nurses told me they might make me sign something just to say I've considered the risks of travelling....which is fine as long as they don't delay my treatment as the waiting about kills me!! Xx

Choots profile image
Choots

Egypt is also OK!

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toChoots

Thank you ❤️🙃 Egypt would be lovely if I had more than 5 days! 😎

Believers profile image
Believers

The WHO have a map of Zika risk areas and Green areas (no zika). I had to delay a Fet as I had been to the West Indies. You’ll find most of Europe is fine x

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toBelievers

Thank you ❤️ I did see a map where France was a different colour to the rest of Europe! I'll check again 😃 xx

Wishinandahopin profile image
Wishinandahopin

Europe is fine. France is shown as a zika one on the map as they had one case once.

Europe though is fine as is North Africa eg: Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt. Canaries are fine- I went just before my successful cycle!

My friend had ivf on nhs and travelled to Carribean and she was absolutely fine and had the transfer shortly after she returned.

Most places haven’t had any cases since before 2019.

I know it’s all so worrying but it’s so much more important you relax and have a lovely holiday ❤️

Wishing you every luck xx

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toWishinandahopin

Thank you ❤️ I do feel like the thought of a holiday has been at the forefront of my mind for the last year and it's much needed as a distraction as well as a break! Just can't wait to get this next egg retrieval out the way ...I've never wished my life away like this before but I'm tired of all the processes and procedures 🙃 xx

Endofitall profile image
Endofitall

My clinic specifically listed the countries of concern for us. I think the ones that catch people out most are Florida and Texas. Is there someone you could contact at the clinic to clarify as that’ll be most reassuring for you.

My husband had to travel with work to Florida before one cycle but we just paid the extra for the Zika IgM test x many weeks after his travel.

Xmishell37 profile image
Xmishell37 in reply toEndofitall

I have a phone call with a doctor next week about my treatment so I'm going to ask then, I'm going to suggest Portugal or Italy as that's most likely where I'll end up going 🙃 xx

Endofitall profile image
Endofitall in reply toXmishell37

Sounds great! Yes once you’ve asked at least youve heard from horses mouth and won’t be worried xx

OrangeChocolateLover profile image
OrangeChocolateLover in reply toEndofitall

Was your clinic NHS or private? May also have to travel for work and am concerned about it delaying treatment, be great if the test is an option x

Endofitall profile image
Endofitall in reply toOrangeChocolateLover

They were both but we were paying privately there. Hope you get it sorted. All these things add worry don’t they. x

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