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Virginia mother who contracted Zika: ‘I knew something was wrong’

Posted at 6:36 PM, Feb 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-03 18:56:23-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- Heather Baker has dedicated much of her life to helping others, including living a year in Haiti. But she put the helping on hold while she raised three children.

Then in 2014 she made two trips to Zacapa, Guatemala, to help missionaries and special needs children. She made the trip again in 2015.

Then three days after her returning to Virginia, in November, she felt like she was coming down with the flu. "Body aches started, photo sensitivity, fatigue, brain fog, just a variety of things, nothing completely severe, enough I knew something was wrong".

"Body aches started, light sensitivity, fatigue, brain fog, just a variety of things, nothing completely severe, enough I knew something was wrong," Baker said.

This continued for weeks with little relief until the CDC confirmed Baker had the Zika Virus.

"I understand that most people a week or two later, they do feel better, I am eight weeks in," she said.

Dr. Mike Stevens with VCU Health said 75% to 80% of people with Zika have no symptoms and added 20%-25% infected have fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain that lasts two to seven days before going away.

Heather Baker wants those who may be traveling to Central or South America, especially woman who may be pregnant or may become pregnant, to know the risks.

Dr. Stevens says it is a concern for anyone traveling, but that women should consult with their doctor before traveling to the area where there is ongoing transmission.

"Although we have mosquitoes that could theoretically could carry Zika in Virginia, the ones that seem to be the most implicated in the current outbreak, are ones that are really in tropical areas."