Zika Virus Test
Reviewed
Also called: Zika Antibody Test, Zika RT-PCR Test, Zika PCR Test, Zika NAAT, Zika NAT
A Zika virus test looks for signs of Zika infection in your blood or urine. Zika is usually spread by mosquitoes in tropical areas, but can also spread through sex or from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Testing is especially important for pregnant women because Zika can cause serious birth defects.
Specimen: Blood or urine
Why this test may be ordered
- To check for a Zika virus infection in pregnant women who have recently traveled to an area with Zika risk
- To check for Zika in pregnant women who have had sex with a partner who traveled to a Zika-risk area
- To evaluate symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, or red eyes
- To assess possible exposure in non-pregnant individuals with symptoms
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for a Zika virus test.
Blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm using a small needle. Urine sample is collected using the clean catch method. If you are pregnant and an ultrasound shows possible microcephaly, your provider may recommend amniocentesis to collect amniotic fluid.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. There are no known risks to a urine test. Amniocentesis may cause some cramping or pain in your belly; there is a small chance the procedure will cause a miscarriage.
Understanding results
Your test results will be interpreted by your healthcare provider. Results depend on the type of test used (molecular or antibody) and the timing of testing relative to exposure.
- Positive: You probably have a Zika infection. Limitation: A positive result does not predict whether you will develop symptoms or pass the infection to a fetus. False positives can occur due to cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses. Next step: If you are pregnant, talk to your provider about preparing for your baby's possible health problems and getting support services. If you are not pregnant but plan to become pregnant, ask your provider how long to wait before trying to conceive and if retesting is needed.
- Negative: You may not be infected, or you may have been tested too soon for the virus to show up. Limitation: A negative result does not rule out infection if testing was done too early. Antibody tests require time for your body to make antibodies. Next step: If you think you were exposed to the virus, talk to your provider about when or if you need to be retested.
- A negative result can mean you are not infected or that you were tested too soon for the virus to show up.
- Antibody tests need to be done starting within a week after symptoms begin to be accurate.
- Zika virus outbreaks come and go, and testing recommendations may change.
- False-positive results can occur due to cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses like dengue or West Nile.
- Amniocentesis carries a small risk of miscarriage.
What to do next
If you are diagnosed with Zika and are pregnant, you can start to prepare for your baby's possible health problems before they are born. Early intervention may make a difference in your child's health and quality of life. If you are diagnosed with Zika and are not pregnant but would like to become pregnant in the future, talk to your provider about how long you should wait before trying to have a baby and if you need to be retested.
- Have you recently traveled to an area where there is a risk of Zika infection?
- Have you had sex with a partner who traveled to a Zika-risk area?
- Do you have symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, or red eyes?
- Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
- Have you used insect repellent or taken other steps to prevent mosquito bites?