Legacy Community Health expands Zika virus screening

HOUSTON – One of the country’s largest health clinics expanded Zika virus screening Tuesday to males 12-years-old and older.

Legacy Community Health announced it is expanding the screening process since the virus is transmitted sexually. Previously, the screening process only included pregnant women.

“We are now including male patients in our screening process to reduce the chances of sexual transmission of Zika,” said Dr. Ann Barnes, Legacy’s chief medical officer. “The rationale for the change in protocols is about prevention – for men to abstain from sex or use condoms with a pregnant partner if they are at risk for the virus because they traveled or have symptoms. But it’s important to remember that pregnant women remain the high-risk group for Zika, which causes severe birth defects.”

Legacy said the screening process includes asking pre-teens, teenage and adult men if they’ve traveled to Zika-affected countries in the last three months. For those who answer yes, doctors may then inquire about Zika-related symptoms.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, symptoms include: flu-like symptoms that pass within seven days, fever, arthralgia (joint pain), maculopapular rash (red area with small bumps), and conjunctivitis (red, irritated eyes). In addition, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and is associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Legacy said their decision to expand screening comes with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“There are now nearly 100 confirmed cases of Zika in Texas, all travel-related,” Legacy Community Health stated.