Anyone travelling to Brazil in the next 6 months?

shansey

Just about to book but kinda sceptical now because of Zika. I know its most likely just gonna be a flu but why spend a few grand on a holiday tainted by mild worry.

HeidiHeidi

But sure you could get the flu anyway Or any other of a hundred mild infections/viruses that may be going.

And this viral infection is reported to be so mild that most people who are infected don't even realise it.

As far as I can gather unless you're pregnant or potentially going to be pregnant, then there is zero risk from it.

Why would you NOT travel?

Media blowing this out of all proportion, IMO.

Shrap

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

As far as I can gather unless you're pregnant or potentially going to be pregnant, then there is zero risk from it.

You can add "potentially going to be getting your girlfriend pregnant on your return" to that list. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/02/first-zika-virus-case-in-united-states-sexually-transmitted-texas?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H&utm_term=154451&subid=15597006&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

The illness itself seems to be even milder than a bad flu, but the risk of it mutating genetics in the unborn is a horrific prospect

The Backwards Man

Most people that have it don't even know they have it. It's been around for years and has never been a danger, it's the fact that it's currently being linked to a spike in birth defects in babies that's causing panic.

jamesbere

I'm thinking of getting a Brazilian in the next 6 months

Shrap

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Media blowing this out of all proportion, IMO.

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Most people that have it don't even know they have it. It's been around for years and has never been a danger, it's the fact that it's currently being linked to a spike in birth defects in babies that's causing panic.

I think the fact that we don't know what the proportional risks are of it causing birth defects in babies is what is causing the panic, rather than the media. In fairness to the media (which I don't often feel), what with the upcoming spike in travel there, people should be as informed as possible about the long-term risks (for example, sexual transmission and how long it might take to clear it from an infected person's system if they contracted it).

shansey

There seems to be a lot of unknown here and it seems like its practically a given that you'll get it.

Big rise in Gullien Barres Syndrome too and they think it could be connected.

Most likely nothing would happen but why take the risk I suppose.

Gyalist

I'm travelling to Trinidad on Friday for Carnival, then on to Guyana for a few days. Nothing is going to make me change my plans.

VisibleGorilla

It only affects pregnant women I was lead to believe?

suicide_circus

Gyalist wrote: »

I'm travelling to Trinidad on Friday for Carnival, then on to Guyana for a few days. Nothing is going to make me change my plans.

And it is this kind of attitude that will ultimately spread this disease.

I'm not saying you're wrong BTW but you've weighed up the options and decided that your super fun holiday trumps the slight possibility of you propigating this disease into your own community.

Shrap

VisibleGorilla wrote: »

It only affects pregnant women I was lead to believe?

It's their unborn who may suffer severe birth defects. It doesn't seem to cause any bad symptoms in most adults who get it. However, they have just said that it can be sexually transmitted.