I really need a bit of reassurance. After a horrible year and a miscarriage,.my husband and I decided we would have a holiday in south Spain. We chose Europe specifically to avoid Zika. I sprayed myself religiously with mozzie spray but alas on the last day was bitten. I've just returned home and found the big lump 😔
Although the Zika map CDC etc says no Zika cases in Spain and it's low risk, it's put me right on edge and I'm not sure what to do. Kicking myself a bit for going away in the first place.
Does anyone know if you can get tested for Zika privately or am I overreacting? We are due for a transfer in around 6 weeks.
Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you xx
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Minniemouse88
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According to this there is no testing available even privately for people who are asymptomatic: gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus-...
I've done a diploma in tropical medicine, and i don't think the right kind of mosquito is found in Europe generally - apart from on Madeira and a couple of other islands closer to Africa than Europe. So you should be fine!
I would chat to your clinic so they can put your mind at ease?
Thank you, so helpful to hear from someone with a diploma on similar subjects. As usual think I'm overthinking and probably to do with a 2:30 am start this morning to catch the flight home. Really appreciate you taking time to respond. Had a chat with clinic and they weren't concerned either. Thanks again x
This wasn’t pre transfer but when I did manage it get pregnant with our frozen transfer, I had Covid, salmonella, went on holiday to Mauritius and Dubai (including mosquito bites- non zika countries) and he’s just turned 4.
Its hard to see the wood for the trees when your in the middle of things and its with complete reason considering what a mind eff fertility is…all I can say is that I was assured I’d be ok travelling and that our bodies are tougher than we think.
I have no medical or scientific background, I can only go by what the health website said (at the heights of zika coming into the media) and the fertility clinic we were at.
If it was me at that time I honestly don’t think I’d have been worried because of all the advise pointing to Spain being fine to travel too.
All the best lovely, I hope that this time, it’s your turn!! Xxx
Wow, you had a bumpy ride, so glad it worked out for you. Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to share. Since my miscarriage I've been so hyper vigilant about everything and find anything less than perfect sets me off down a rabbit hole. Going to distract myself and keep off Google I think. Thank you x
Ah we had a crabby early loss and it set the standard for my first frozen transfer that’s for sure. I was an absolute wreak. Didn’t even tell anyone we were pregnancy until 21 weeks 🙄 it doesn’t have to be like the first time, what babes meant for you will make its way to you ❤️
there’s no Zika in Europe, you’ll be fine. Also I think the issue is if the male gets it (whereas it would only affect you if you were already pregnant - I think or maybe It’s a month but at least not nearly as much of an issue for a woman - it’s a long time since I worried about this) whereas it stays in sperm for 3 months. Anyway no chance of you getting it in Europe so please don’t worry, anxiety stand down ☺️
I went to Lanzarote on my last 2WW a few weeks ago and mosquitos love me! Didnt even think of zika it’s not really a worry in Europe try not to worry and dont beat yourself up for going g on holiday how many women in the UK go on holiday before/during being pregnant and have never even heard of zika and are completely unaffected? There’s lots of thing to worry about but this defo isn’t one of them lovely 🤗💜 (although I get why you would) xx
Thank you so much Twiglet. I really let it get to me yesterday, also partly brought on by the exhaustion of a 2:30am start to fly back home. I wouldn't have thought twice about this a year ago - I'm so hyper vigilant these days and have decided to try and work on that to save my poor husband the grief! Xxx
hi lovely the chance of it being zika would be like 0.00000001% - if that. it is almost impossible to not get bitten by mosquitos in every country right now but zika is extremely rare even in countries that have had it. So very itchy and annoying but absolutely fine.
That said I can totally understand the worry, specially when you’ve had a miscarriage before. All this trauma can cause us to overthink and worry so much over things other people wouldn’t think twice about.
I went to the canaries just before my transfer, had multiple itchy bites (as they seem to love me!), came home had our transfer and it was finally successful after lots of failed rounds (my little boy is now 5 months). If anything I think the holiday had helped me feel a bit more relaxed beforehand.
Thank you so much for the reassurance and congratulations on your little miracle. You are spot on about the trauma and overthinking. Reading these messages has done me the world of good. I think sometimes it's just someone to hear and validate as much as anything. Thank you xx
As others have said, no Zika reported in Spain. It’s great that you had a holiday, time to rest and spend together, before your FET. Do something you love today and be kind to yourself… this journey is tough 🩷✨
It’s great that you took precautions during your holiday. The fact that the CDC and other health organizations have not reported any Zika cases in Spain should be very reassuring. The risk is extremely low, especially in a country where there have been no documented cases.
Sending you lots of positive thoughts for your transfer. Take care. x
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