Testing for Zika
How Zika is diagnosed
- To diagnose Zika, a doctor or other healthcare provider will ask about any recent travel and any signs and symptoms.
- They may order blood or urine tests to help determine if you have Zika.
Remember to ask for your Zika test results even if you are feeling better.
Only some people need Zika testing
Following the Zika virus outbreaks in 2016, the number of Zika cases reported from most parts of the world declined and is now very low. Therefore, very few people need Zika testing.
Testing is recommended if you have symptoms of Zika and have traveled to a country with a current Zika outbreak (red areas). Note: There are no countries or U.S. territories currently reporting an outbreak of Zika.
- Testing should take place as soon as possible, while you still have symptoms.
- Testing may include a molecular test which looks for presence of the virus in the body or serological testing which looks for antibodies your body makes to fight infection.
- If you have questions talk to your healthcare provider.
Testing is recommended if you are a pregnant woman with symptoms of Zika and have traveled to a an area with risk of Zika (purple areas) outside of the U.S. and its territories.
- Testing should take place as soon as possible, while you still have symptoms.
- Testing will be done using a molecular test which looks for presence of the virus in the body.
- Serological testing is not recommended since antibodies against Zika persist for years and cross-react with other similar viruses, including dengue. For this reason, a positive lab result often cannot definitively tell you if you have a current or past infection or whether it is a Zika or dengue infection.
- If you have questions talk to your healthcare provider.
Testing is no longer routinely recommended if you are a pregnant woman with no symptoms of Zika, but may be considered if you traveled to an area with risk of Zika (purple areas).
- Upon your return from travel, testing should take place as soon as possible.
- Testing will be done using a molecular test which looks for presence of the virus in the body.
- Serological testing is not recommended since antibodies against Zika persist for years and cross-react with other similar viruses, including dengue. For this reason, a positive lab result often cannot definitively tell you if you have a current or past infection or whether it is a Zika or dengue infection.
- If you have questions talk to your healthcare provider.
You should be tested for Zika if you are pregnant, traveled to an area with risk of Zika (purple areas) and your doctor sees Zika-associated abnormalities on an ultrasound or you deliver a baby with birth defects that may be related to Zika.
- Testing may include a molecular test which looks for presence of the virus in the body or serological testing which looks for antibodies your body makes to fight infection.
- If you have questions talk to your healthcare provider.
Preconception Zika testing is NOT recommended.
If you have tested positive for Zika
- If you are pregnant, you can pass Zika to your fetus. For information for pregnant women, please see Zika and Pregnancy.
- You can pass Zika to your sex partner(s). Learn how you can prevent passing Zika to your partner.
- You can pass Zika to mosquitoes, which can bite you, get infected with Zika virus, and spread the virus to other people. Learn how you can prevent mosquito bites.
More information is available for specific groups.
Sexual transmission and testing
- A blood or urine test can help determine if you have Zika from sexual transmission; however, testing blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or urine is not recommended to determine how likely a person is to pass Zika virus through sex.
