Zika and Sex

How to Protect Yourself from Getting Zika from Sex

(Information for People Living in Areas without Zika)

Can I get Zika from sex? 

• Only if you have a male sex partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika.

• You can get Zika from sex with a male partner who has Zika, even if he does not have symptoms at 

the time, or if his symptoms have gone away.

• At this time, there is no evidence that you can get Zika from sex with your female partner, even if 

she has Zika. 

Should I be concerned about getting Zika from sex?

• Zika is of greatest concern for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant while 

infected. This is because Zika can cause birth defects in babies born to women who are infected 

during pregnancy.

• For everyone else, Zika rarely causes serious disease. Most people with Zika won’t have symptoms. 

When symptoms do appear, they are usually mild.

What can I do to prevent getting Zika from sex, if my male partner traveled to an area with Zika?

Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. To be effective, condoms must be used 

correctly from start to finish, every time you have vaginal, anal and oral (mouth-to-penis) sex.

• If you’re pregnant: Use a condom every time you have sex or do not have sex during your 

pregnancy. This is important, even if your partner does not have symptoms of Zika.

• Otherwise:

• If your partner has or had symptoms of Zika: Consider using a condom every time you have sex 

or not having sex for at least 6 months from when his symptoms started.

• If your partner does not have (and never had) symptoms of Zika: Consider using a condom 

every time you have sex or not having sex for at least 8 weeks after his return.

What can I do to prevent getting Zika from sex, if my female partner traveled to an area with Zika?

• At this time, there is no evidence that you can get Zika from sex with a female partner, even if she 

has Zika. If you are concerned about Zika, you can use male or female condoms or not have sex.

Because Zika is mainly spread through mosquitoes, travelers returning to the United States from an 

area with Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks so they do not spread Zika to 

mosquitoes that could spread the virus to other people.

Last updated May 5, 2016
Zika and Sex

How to Protect Yourself from Getting Zika from Sex

(Information for People Living in Areas with Zika)

Can I get Zika from sex? 

• Yes, you can get Zika from sex with a male partner who has Zika, even if he does not have symptoms 

at the time, or if his symptoms have gone away. 

• At this time, there is no evidence that you can get Zika from sex with a female partner, even if she 

has Zika. 

Should I be concerned about getting Zika from sex?

• Zika is of greatest concern for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant while 

infected. This is because Zika can cause birth defects in babies born to women who are infected 

during pregnancy.

• For everyone else, Zika rarely causes serious disease. Most people with Zika won’t have symptoms. 

When symptoms do appear, they are usually mild.

What can I do to prevent getting Zika from sex with my male partner?

Condoms can reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex. To be effective, condoms must be used

correctly from start to finish, every time you have vaginal, anal and oral (mouth-to-penis) sex.

• If you’re pregnant: Use a condom every time you have sex, or do not have sex during your 

pregnancy. This is important, even if your partner does not have symptoms of Zika.

• Otherwise:

• If your partner has or had symptoms of Zika: Consider using a condom every time you have sex 

or not having sex for at least 6 months from when his symptoms started.

• If your partner does not have symptoms of Zika: Consider using a condom every time you have 

sex or not having sex while there is Zika in your area.

What can I do to prevent getting Zika from sex with my female partner?

• At this time, there is no evidence that you can get Zika from sex with a female partner, even if she 

has Zika. If you are concerned about Zika, you can use male or female condoms or not have sex.

Because Zika is mainly spread through mosquitoes, you and your partner should protect against 

mosquito bites to prevent getting Zika and spreading it to more mosquitoes.

Last Updated May 5, 2016