There has been numerous battle against Zika virus outbreak throughout the years, a lot of medical professionals work tirelessly to discover the connection of this virus to a devastating neurological birth disorder - microcephaly - that results in babies to have abnormally small heads. On that account, this week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidelines for healthcare professionals in interpreting the infection present among pregnant women.
Back then, pregnant women are advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see their pre-natal doctor once in the first trimester and again in the second. But now, it suggests that women who want to pregnant will undergo a blood testing for Zika virus before getting pregnant.
In gathered reports, this kind of blood testing will provide a baseline reading that will help medical professionals to have a better interpretation and understanding of Zika virus, according to from an article written in Stat News. Sudden changed occurred for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when it found that Immunoglobulin M or IgM cannot identify if pregnant women were infected with the infection as antibodies linger for months.
Also, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest these following guidelines for expectant parents living in areas exposed to the virus. First, the soon to be mother experiences symptom during pregnancy it is advised to see a doctor and undergo a nucleic acid testing (NAT) and IgM test. Also, it is better for pregnant women to ask their doctor for a consistent NAT test once in every trimester.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that it is also important for pregnant women to have a Zika NAT test of the amniocentesis specimens as well. Lastly, consider the IgM testing as a way for the medical professionals to have a better counseling among expectant parents by determining the baseline Zika virus IgM levels.
