Patient Counseling for Pregnant Women on Zika Testing

Pretest Counseling

If Zika testing for a pregnant woman is indicated, healthcare providers should provide pretest counseling. Healthcare providers should

• Provide the patient with information on the complexity of Zika testing, including the following points:
  • More than one Zika test may be required before a final result is determined.
  • Understanding test results can be challenging.
  • Previous exposure to Zika virus or another related virus (e.g., dengue virus) could affect test results during pregnancy.
• Discuss with patients what test results could mean for their pregnancy.