On Monday, the CDC issued updated interim guidance for clinicians caring for pregnant women who were possibly exposed to Zika. The agency also updated interim guidance to prevent the sexual transmission of the virus.
Here are four things to know about the new guidance.
1. The new guidance expands the timeframe to offer pregnant women a blood test to detect Zika from seven to 14 days after symptoms started. The update is based on new information, according to the CDC.
2. Pregnant women who have not shown Zika symptoms but had possible exposure to the virus should receive a Zika test, the CDC advises.
3. The CDC updated its definition of sexual exposure to Zika to include sex without a barrier method with any person, male or female, who traveled to or lives in an area with active Zika transmission. This update is based on a case in New York in which a woman passed Zika on to a male sex partner. Previously, officials believed only men could sexually transmit Zika to another person.
4. All pregnant women should either use condoms or not have sex for the remainder of their pregnancy, whether their partners are male or female, the CDC advises. Sex includes vaginal, anal and oral sex and could include sharing sex toys.
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