Overview and Testing Algorithms: Asymptomatic Pregnant Women.
The following guidelines apply to testing for asymptomatic pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure:
- Testing should occur three times during a pregnancy. The first testing should occur at the initiation of prenatal care. (The CDC is not clear on when the other two testings should occur during pregnancy).
- Testing should be by Zika virus NAT (serum and urine). If positive for Zika virus NAT, the woman is considered to have acute Zika virus infection.
- If negative for Zika virus NAT, then no Zika virus RNA is detected, but Zika virus infection during pregnancy cannot be ruled out!
Note: Since Zika virus RNA declines over time and the duration of the Zika virus RNA in serum or urine can vary among pregnant women, a negative Zika virus NAT result cannot rule out a Zika virus infection.
