Zika virus: Those exposed should wait to conceive, CDC says

The U.S. Centers for Disease Controland Prevention on Friday recommended women diagnosed with theZika virus should wait at last eight weeks before trying toconceive while men who had the disease should hold off for atleast six months.

Both men and women who were possibly exposed to the virusshould wait for at least eight weeks before attemptingconception, the CDC's new guidelines said.

Zika has been linked to a spike in microcephaly, a rarebirth defect, in Brazil.

The CDC's recommendations are intended to help couplesbefore they become pregnant. Its previous guidelines on the Zikavirus had focused those who already were pregnant.

The guidelines said women diagnosed with Zika should wait atleast eight weeks after symptoms began before trying to
conceive. Men should wait at least six months, health officialsrecommended.

Both men and women who were possibly exposed to the virusshould wait for at least eight weeks before attemptingconception, the guidelines said.

CDC officials noted that conversations about the risks ofpregnancy are difficult and encouraged health providers toengage their patients.

"Some women and their partners residing in areas with activeZika virus transmission may decide to delay pregnancy," the CDCsaid in a news release.

Health officials noted the recommendations were based onlimited data about Zika's persistence in blood and semen.

Zika has not been proven to cause microcephaly in babies,but there is growing evidence that suggests a link. The
condition is defined by unusually small heads that can result indevelopmental problems.

Brazil said it has confirmed more than 900 cases ofmicrocephaly and considers most of them to be related to Zika
infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating nearly 4,300additional suspected cases of microcephaly.

• Zika virus: What you need to know and how to protect yourself