What is CMV?
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be detected in people of any age.
• A healthy immune system usually prevents the virus from causing illness.
• Some babies born with CMV may have health problems at birth, or these may develop later.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people with CMV do not show signs or symptoms and are unaware that they have been infected.
Sometimes the infection may cause mild illnesses such as:
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands
• Occasionally, CMV may cause mononucleosis or hepatitis (liver problems).
In people with weakened immunity
If you have a weakened immune system and get infected with CMV, you may experience more severe symptoms that affect the eyes, lungs, liver, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
In babies
Babies born with CMV may have problems with the brain, liver, spleen, lungs, and growth. The most common long-term health problem in babies born with CMV infection is hearing loss. This may be detected soon after birth or may develop later in childhood.
Who is at risk
Anyone can become infected with CMV. Some people are more at risk for complications from CMV, such as pregnant women or those with weakened immune systems.
If you are pregnant and become infected with CMV, you can pass the virus to your baby, and the baby may be born with a CMV infection, which is called congenital CMV.
About 1 in 200 babies is born with congenital CMV infection. About 1 in 5 babies with congenital CMV infection will have birth defects or other long-term health problems.
How it spreads
People with CMV can spread the virus through bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, tears, semen, and breast milk.
An infected person can transmit CMV:
• Through direct contact with saliva or urine, especially from babies and young children
• Through sexual contact
• From breast milk to infants
• Through transplanted organs and blood transfusions
• During pregnancy
Prevention
You can reduce your chances of becoming infected with CMV by limiting contact with saliva (spit) and urine from babies and young children. Be sure to:
• Do not share food, utensils, cups, or pacifiers with a child
• Wash your hands with soap and water after changing diapers or helping a child use the toilet
Testing and Diagnosis
Healthcare providers may order blood tests to identify CMV infection in adults with symptoms. However, blood is not the best fluid for testing newborns suspected of having a CMV infection.
Saliva or urine tests are preferred for newborns. These tests must be done within 2 to 3 weeks after birth to confirm whether the baby has congenital CMV.
If you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact with our team.