Here are five insights:
1. Anne Barnes, MD, chief medical officer at Houston-based Legacy Community Health, said many patients come from Central and South America where Zika virus is rapidly spreading.
2. Providers are asking patients about their travel history as well as if they have been experiencing any Zika virus symptoms.
3. The most common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. However, most people infected with the virus do not exhibit symptoms.
4. Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed a patient acquired Zika virus through sexual contact last week. However, Dr. Barnes says there is a very low risk of contracting the virus through sexual intercourse.
5. Dr. Barnes advises pregnant women to postpone travel or aggressively attempt to prevent mosquito bites.
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