How the Zika Virus Threat Is Affecting Olympic Hopefuls' Plans

— -- With the Olympic Games just weeks away, some athletes are facing a difficult decision to either skip Rio de Janeiro over concerns about the Zika virus or attend the games and risk getting sick.

With the viral infection rates showing no signs of disappearing, some athletes have announced they will not attend the games. However, other athletes have said they plan to take extra precautions against the virus and at least one defiant athlete has said she is not worried about it.

While both men and women have expressed concerns, only women who are pregnant have been advised to avoid traveling to the Olympic Games due to ongoing Zika virus transmission, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women who are considering pregnancy and men with partners who are pregnant are advised to take extra precautions while traveling and after returning from Zika-affected areas to protect their unborn from the virus.

In most cases, the virus results in minor symptoms, including fever, rash and pink eye, which clear up in about a week. In pregnant women, the virus has been found to cause severe birth defects including microcephaly.

Skipping the Olympics

Northern Irish Golfer Rory McIlroy

Today, Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy announced he would avoid the upcoming games. He joins a growing group of golfers who have said they plan to skip the Olympics due to fears of contracting the Zika virus.

"I've come to realize that my health and my family's health comes before anything else," McIlroy, 27, said in a statement released by his management company. "Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take."

U.S. Cyclist Tejay van Garderen

The cyclist was the first U.S. athlete to say he would not attend the games due to concerns about the Zika virus especially because his wife is pregnant.

"I don't want to risk bringing anything back that could potentially have an effect," van Gardener said in a statement through USA Cycling earlier this year. "If the circumstances were different I would have loved to be selected again to represent the USA, but my family takes priority and it's a decision I'm completely comfortable with.”

South African Golfer Charl Schwartzel

The golfer said his desire to start a family trumps the games.

"If I didn't want to have children, or if I was single, I'd play," Schwartzel told The AP earlier this summer. "It's as simple as that."

Australian Golfer Marc Leishman

The Australian golfer said his wife's health led him and his family to decide not to participate in the Olympic Games. Leishman's wife nearly died from toxic shock syndrome last year, according to Golf.com.

"We have consulted with Audrey's physician and due to her ongoing recovery and potential risks associated with the transmission of the Zika virus it was a difficult yet easy decision not to participate," Leishman told Golf.com.

Concerned but Going

U.S. Tennis Player Serena Williams

The top women's tennis player in the world said she will go the Olympics this summer, but added that she might take extra precautions.

She told The AP that Zika had "been on my mind" and she will plan to be "super-protected, maybe" at the games later this summer.

Serbian Tennis Player Novak Djokovic

The top ranked men's player, Novak Djokovic, said he will attend the Olympics this summer even though he has concerns about the Zika virus.

"Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore," he told The AP.

Not Worried About Zika

U.S Gymnast Gabby Douglas

A gold-medal winner during the last summer Olympics, Douglas has said she's not letting any Zika fears stop her from her second round at the Olympics.

“It’s the Olympics. It’s the Olympics!” Douglas told USA Today earlier this year. “Mosquitoes, like, whatever. I’m going. This is my shot, this is big. I don’t care about no stupid bugs!”