People Trying to Conceive

Female doctor shaking hands with couple

CDC recommends people thinking about pregnancy take precautions to protect themselves from Zika.

Considerations for People Planning to Conceive and Planning to Travel to an Area with a Zika Outbreak (As Indicated by Red Areas on the Zika Map) or Other Areas with Risk of Zika (As Indicated by Purple Areas on the Zika Map)

CDC recommends people trying to become pregnant work with their healthcare providers to carefully consider the risks and possible consequences of travel to areas with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika. Consider waiting to get pregnant according to the timeframes below:

Travel Precautions
Traveling Partner How Long to Wait
If only a male partner travels to an area with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika The couple should use condoms or not have sex for at least 3 months:
  • after a male partner returns, even if they don’t have symptoms, or
  • from the start of the male partner’s symptoms or the date they were diagnosed with Zika
If only a female partner travels to an area with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika They should use condoms or not have sex for at least 2 months:
  • after a female partner returns, even if they don’t have symptoms, or
  • from the start of a female partner’s symptoms or the date they were diagnosed with Zika
If both partners travel to an area with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika They should use condoms or not have sex for at least 3 months:
  • after returning from an area with risk of Zika, even if they don’t have symptoms, or
  • from the start of a male partner’s symptoms or the date he was diagnosed with Zika

The timeframes that males and females should consider waiting are different because Zika can be found in semen longer than in other body fluids.

Decisions about pregnancy planning are personal and complex, and circumstances will vary for people trying to conceive. People should discuss pregnancy planning with a trusted doctor or healthcare provider.

Planning considerations include:

  • their reproductive life plans, including pregnancy intentions and timing of pregnancy
  • their potential exposures to Zika during pregnancy and the health risks and potential consequences of infection
  • individual circumstances and level of risk tolerance

If You Have Ongoing Exposure (for Example, Live in or Frequently Travel) to An Area with a Zika Outbreak (As Indicated by Red Areas on the Zika Map) or Other Areas with Risk of Zika (As Indicated by Purple Areas on the Zika Map)

  • Take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
  • Because of your ongoing exposure to Zika, talk with your healthcare provider about your plans for pregnancy, your risk of Zika, the possible health effects of Zika infection on a baby, and ways to protect yourself from Zika.
  • If you or your partner develop symptoms of Zika or test positive for Zika, you should follow the suggested timeframes above before trying to conceive.

As a result of counseling with healthcare providers, people with ongoing exposure to areas with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika might decide to delay pregnancy.

Graphic of a couple

Men and Zika

How men can protect their partners… More >

If You Have Questions About a Possible Infection or Diagnosis

If families would like to speak to someone about a possible Zika virus infection or diagnosis during pregnancy and risk to the baby, please contact MotherToBaby. MotherToBaby experts are available to answer questions in English or Spanish by phone or chat. The free and confidential service is available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (local time). To reach MotherToBaby:

Related Fact Sheets

For People in Areas with Zika: Plan Your Pregnancy

For Women: A Positive Zika Virus Test