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If you are currently pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant,
you owe it to yourself and your baby to educate yourself on the risks of Cytomegalovirus, better known as CMV.
Click here for print-ready flyers and pamphlets about CMV!
- CMV is a widely common virus, and most women have already been exposed to it by the time they reach adulthood and have the antibodies to the virus in their system. However, those women who have not been exposed are at the greatest risk for contracting CMV during pregnancy.
- Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive should talk with their OBGYN about getting tested for CMV to determine your immunity status. If you have not been exposed to CMV, you should take extra precautions while pregnant, especially around young children. Simple hand washing and good hygeine practices can prevent the spread of CMV.
- CMV is spread through saliva, urine, tears, blood, mucus, and other bodily fluids. Infants, toddlers and children commonly get CMV from daycares or playgroups and can pass the virus to unsuspecting mothers. A person with CMV can have no symptoms at all with a "silent" infection or it can manifest itself as a cold/flu/mono type illness, lasting approximately 7 days with varying symptoms.
- Infants who contract CMV in utero are at serious risk for brain malformations, which can lead to developmental disabilities, such as deafness, blindness, cerebral palsy, mental and/or physical retardation, even death.
Special thanks to Dr. Gail Demmler of the National CMV Registry at Baylor College of Medicine for her contributions and support.
For permission to use this photo, please contact StopCMV.
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