For how long can Zika virus remain detectable in semen after infection?

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Multiple Choice

For how long can Zika virus remain detectable in semen after infection?

Zika virus can persist in the male reproductive tract and remain detectable in semen for months after infection. The best-supported window for detecting the virus or its RNA in semen is about six months post-infection. This longer persistence, compared with how quickly the virus clears from blood, underpins guidance that safe sex or abstinence may be advised for up to six months to prevent sexual transmission. Shorter time frames like two weeks or one month underestimate how long semen can test positive, while a duration of two years is not supported by the evidence. It’s also worth noting that detecting viral RNA doesn’t always mean infectious virus is present, but the six-month window is the practical period used to reduce transmission risk.

Zika virus can persist in the male reproductive tract and remain detectable in semen for months after infection. The best-supported window for detecting the virus or its RNA in semen is about six months post-infection. This longer persistence, compared with how quickly the virus clears from blood, underpins guidance that safe sex or abstinence may be advised for up to six months to prevent sexual transmission. Shorter time frames like two weeks or one month underestimate how long semen can test positive, while a duration of two years is not supported by the evidence. It’s also worth noting that detecting viral RNA doesn’t always mean infectious virus is present, but the six-month window is the practical period used to reduce transmission risk.

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