Francisco Rodriguez has some advice for any athletes traveling to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The reliever, who battled the Zika virus this offseason, cautions athletes to be prepared and do their homework.

Rodriguez, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, contracted the virus and was laid up for two weeks with severe bodyaches, joint pain, headaches and a myriad of other symptoms. Considering the effects of the illness are even more devastating for women, especially pregnant women, he advised any athletes contemplating participating in the Olympics to educate themselves and their family members.

The World Health Organization has classified Zika, a mosquito-transmitted illness that can cause microcephaly in infants as well as other developmental issues, as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" but recently ruled that cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics "will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus."

A number of athletes have voiced concerns over the risks.

"I wouldn't blame them," Rodriguez said. "If they have plans to have kids in the future, you've got to think about it. You have to be aware of that as well. You have to do some homework, some research about it."