Prevention

Women are well-known to commit themselves to healthy behaviors during pregnancy--nobody cares more about the health of an unborn child than its own mother. Most all mothers-to-be understand the risks associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy. Some women shy away from certain foods believed to be unsafe to her developing child. Pregnant women will even avoid changing the cat litterbox for 9 months and will assign the painting of the nursery to their spouse. Few, if any, pregnant women realize that basic personal hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of viruses, such as CMV, which could potentially harm their unborn child.

Practicing good hygiene while pregnant

Considering that the CMV virus is present in saliva, urine, tears, blood, mucus, and other bodily fluids, frequent handwashing with soap and water is important after contact with diapers or oral secretions, especially with a child who is in daycare or interacting with other young children on a regular basis.

Some basic precautionary measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of CMV transmission and infection include the following:

• Do not kiss young children under 5 or 6 years of age on the mouth or cheek. Instead, kiss them on the forehead or the top of the head and give them a big long hug.
  
• Do not share food, drinks, or items such as utensils or toothbrushes with young children.
  
• Wash your hands with soap and water after diaper changes or after contact with a child's saliva or other bodily fluids.
  
• Daycare center workers, teachers, etc should wear gloves when changing the diapers of young children.
  
• Since young children, especially toddlers, frequently put toys in their mouth, it is recommended the toys be washed with soap and water or wiped with a solution of one-part chlorine bleach to nine-parts water, followed by a tap water rinse.
  

Daycare workers, teachers, therapists, and mothers

CMV infection is very common in daycare settings, especially among children 1 to 3 years of age who are at high risk for CMV infection. Women who work with infants and young children should be educated about the risks of CMV and the precautions they can take to prevent infection. Child care providers (meaning daycare workers, teachers, therapists, as well as mothers) should be diligent in handwashing, as they are at increased risk for exposure to the virus.