Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
What is CMV?
It is part of the herpes family of viruses similar to chickenpox and fever blisters. It is a common virus and spreads through bodily fluids, including saliva, blood, breast milk, semen and urine. Cytomegalovirus is human-to-human transmissible through close bodily contact (coughs and sneezes are also possible routes). There is no association with animals, food or water with this virus. Just like other viruses in the herpes family, once infected, the virus remains dormant in the body for the rest of their life when it is not active.
The best way to protect your unborn child from cytomegalovirus (CMV) is to protect yourself — especially by washing your hands.
According to the CDC, “In the United States, about half of pregnant women have never been infected with CMV. About 1 percent to 4 percent of these women have a primary (or first) CMV infection during their pregnancy.”
A woman infected with CMV can pass the virus to her unborn child. As a result, this infection can lead to birth defects or other serious problems — even death.
Practicing good hygiene can reduce your chance of CMV infection while pregnant. Children in daycare are more at risk for this virus than others.
Here are a few ways to reduce your chances of contracting CMV:
- Wash your hands thoroughly (15 –20 seconds) with soap and hot water, especially after changing diapers or coming into contact with children’s body fluids.
- Use soap and water or a disinfectant to clean hard surfaces that have come into contact with children’s body fluids.
- Avoid kissing young children on the face or lips.
- Don’t share food, drinks or eating utensils with young children.
- If you work in a day care center, limit your close contact with children younger than 2 ½ years of age, especially if you’ve never been infected with CMV or don’t know if you’ve been infected.
