Columbia Physicians Share Advice for Patients Worried About Zika
On Wednesday, July 27, maternal-fetal medicine specialist Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, neuroinfectious diseases expert Kiran Thakur, MD, and pediatrician Alok Patel, MD, joined other healthcare professionals around the country for a Twitter chat on the Zika virus. The conversation, which was organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Medscape, covered topics such as what to do when bitten by a mosquito, advice on traveling to Zika-affected areas, and recommended preventative strategies.
Below is a curated summary of the Twitter chat. For the full version, please click here.
1. Let’s discuss how patients feel about Zika. What major concerns are they sharing with you about the virus?
T1: As an obstetrician and MFM, many of my patients are concerned about travel to areas where the Zika virus may spread. #zikamedchat
— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
T1. women conc. w “unknowns”: exposure risks, how and if the fetus will be affected, risks w/ sex. transmission. #zikamedchat— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
2. What do you tell patients who have been bitten by a mosquito and fear Zika? What’s the reality? The misconceptions?
T2: Folks should first know SYMPTOMS of #Zika CDC https://t.co/sAAw8o7yWV @CDCgov #ZikaMedChat Awareness is clutch. pic.twitter.com/beEslM6bp4
— AlokPatelMD (@AlokPatelMD) July 27, 2016
T2: At Columbia University, we follow the CDC website closely to look for confirmed areas with local transmission. #zikamedchat— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
3. With Brazil’s Zika issues, what about patients traveling to the Olympics? Who is most at risk? What precautions can they take?
T3. Advise to practice safe sex, air conditioned accommodation, insect repellent, covered clothing, https://t.co/TNNeP8Gqyf #zikamedchat
— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
T3: We recommend against non-essential travel by pregnant women to Zika-affected areas. #zikamedchat— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
T3: Permethrin-treated clothing -> Protection EVEN after a wash. Keeping safe, keeping your style. #ZikaMedChat pic.twitter.com/aWhwlhxGMN
— AlokPatelMD (@AlokPatelMD) July 27, 2016
T3: The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine also provides up-to-date information on their website #SMFM #zikamedchat
— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
4. How long should you monitor patients bitten by mosquitoes in Zika-endemic area?
T4: Pregnant women should get tested if they have #Zika symptoms OR after an exposure, within 14 days https://t.co/JFsKn7yFdY #ZikaMedChat
— AlokPatelMD (@AlokPatelMD) July 27, 2016
T4: The CDC provides the most current recommendations on monitoring for Zika. Your local department of health is also helpful. #zikamedchat— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
5. The CDC's advice for pregnant women is to avoid Zika-endemic areas. What about partners traveling to high-risk areas?
T5. Partner that has traveled to Zika area should use condoms/abstain from sex at least 6 months after dx. or sympt. onset. #zikamedchat
— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
6. For those in Zika affected areas, what precautions should partners – both male and female – take, if trying to get pregnant?
T6: In addition to condom use and abstaining, mosquito nets and repellants with DEET are recommended in high prevalence areas. #zikamedchat
— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
7. Should adults beyond childbearing age feel concerned about Zika?
T7. Yes, though risk overall is low. Zika virus is associated with serious neurological conditions in children and adults. #zikamedchat
— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
T7. GBS, meningoencephalitis, myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis has been identified in Zika infected patients. #zikamedchat— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
8. Should parents worry about kids contracting Zika?
T8.GBS can occur in children+adults. Interesting article on polio surveillance to track GBS: https://t.co/sNaTFMFzKo #zikamedchat
— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
9. Mosquito control and avoidance are the main recommended preventive strategies. Any other evidence-based strategies to suggest?
T9. Unclog roof gutters, empty wading pools freq., get rid of old tires in your yard, empty outdoor flower pots regularly. #zikamedchat
— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
10. What atypical symptoms should you watch for that may suggest Zika infection?
T10. As in many neurotropic infections, seeing variety of symptoms: weakness, tingling, vision prob., unsteadiness, etc #zikamedchat
— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
T10. Variants of GBS: facial weakness, ataxia, problems with eye movements. #zikamedchat— Kiran Thakur, MD (@kiranthakurmd) July 27, 2016
11. What info should you gather when there is a suspicion of Zika?
T11: Pregnant women should inform their obstetric providers of their travel history. #ColumbiaDoctors #SMFM #zikamedchat
— Cynthia Gyamfi, MD (@drcynthiagyamfi) July 27, 2016
12. Let's share resources. What information do you have to help other clinicians?
T12: ONE STOP SHOP for your Zika-Virus knowledge needs: @CDCgov https://t.co/Zl0EAeH8m3 #ZikaMedChat Fight the fear! pic.twitter.com/t289d4X92m
— AlokPatelMD (@AlokPatelMD) July 27, 2016