Disease & Vaccine A–Z

Diseases beginning with Z

U.S.-focused summaries with current official guidance links. For a diagnosis, personal vaccine schedule, pregnancy advice, or urgent symptoms, speak with a qualified clinician.

Zika Virus Disease

No vaccine available

Disease

A usually mild mosquito-borne viral infection that can also spread through sex and from a pregnant person to a fetus.

Symptoms

Most infected people have no symptoms. When illness occurs, it may include rash, fever, red eyes, joint or muscle pain, and headache.

Typical duration

Symptoms typically begin several days after infection and usually last several days to about a week. The virus can remain in some body fluids longer than symptoms last.

How serious is it?

Illness is usually mild, but infection during pregnancy can cause congenital Zika syndrome and other pregnancy complications. Rare neurologic complications, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, can occur.

Treatment & management

There is no Zika-specific antiviral. Care is supportive with rest, fluids, and clinician-approved fever or pain relief. Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs until dengue has been ruled out.

Vaccine: who and when?

No vaccine is licensed to prevent Zika virus disease in the United States.

Check the current CDC guidance for Zika Virus Disease →

Cost and access: Patient cost varies by insurance, provider, location, and eligibility. Many recommended vaccines are covered with no out-of-pocket cost under qualifying plans, and eligible children may receive vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. CDC price lists are purchasing benchmarks—not guaranteed patient prices. CDC price and program context.

Last reviewed against official U.S. sources: September 5, 2026. This page provides general education, not medical advice.