Basic Information 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.
  
• CMV is easily prevented by practicing good hygiene while pregnant. Handwashing after handling or playing with babies and small children is important, in addition to not sharing utensils or drinks and not kissing babies and small children on the mouth or face.
  
• CMV is spread through saliva, urine, tears, blood, mucus, and other bodily fluids.
  
• Infants, toddlers and children commonly get CMV and can pass the virus to unsuspecting daycare workers, teachers, mothers or anyone who works with or comes into contact with small children.
  
• 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.
  
• If you are currently pregnant or planning a future pregnancy, ask your physician about getting tested for CMV and tell them what you've learned about CMV and its effects on pregnancy. Knowing your immunity status is key to peace of mind, and will also help you to take appropriate preventative steps during your pregnancy.
  
  

Special thanks to Dr. Gail Demmler-Harrison of the National Congenital CMV Disease Registry at Baylor College of Medicine for her contributions and support.



"Thanks for your website. I am currently pregnant. Before I got pregnant, I got tested, but found I was not previously exposed to the CMV virus. I have been as careful as I can during my pregnancy so far. When I asked my OB to test me again at 16 weeks, I was pretty much treated like I was being silly. And when I talk to people about CMV they seem to act like it is just silly to even worry. I hope through websites like yours more people would take this seriously." - Anonymous