Doctors at Presence St. Joseph in Lakeview confirmed that they are testing a woman for the Zika virus.
Dr. Mitchell Weinstein, Chief of Infectious Diseases, said the woman - who is not pregnant - has traveled to an area wrought with Zika activity.
“Her symptoms are, as I said, pretty nonspecific, fevers, chills, nothing that would definitely lead us to a diagnosis but she is undergoing blood work testing,” Dr. Weinstein said.
The World Health Organization declared the virus a public health emergency this week and advised pregnant women not to travel to affected countries.
“The majority of people who become infected with this virus might not have any symptoms whatsoever,” Dr. Weinstein said.
Dr. Weinstein said at most, people who are not pregnant may come down with mild flu-like symptoms for a few days. Still, Chicagoans are concerned.
Sara Nemes is planning a trip to the Dominican Republic in March with a group of girlfriends.
“People don't know if it's something you have to worry about if you're currently pregnant or if it's something you have to worry about if you are planning to get pregnant later,” Nemes said.
