CMV can be dangerous to unborn babies.
Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus in the herpes family that over half of Americans have been exposed to by age 40, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Significance
Approximately 1 in 750 babies exposed to CMV in the womb develops a permanent disability before or after birth. These include hearing and vision loss, mental disability, small head size, lack of coordination and seizures. Some babies with congenital CMV do not survive.
Symptoms
CMV may not cause any symptoms in healthy children and adults. Mild symptoms may include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands. Temporary symptoms in babies born with CMV may include liver, spleen, or lung problems; jaundice; purple, blotchy skin; small size; and seizures, according to the CDC.
Transmission
CMV is transmitted through close contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, breast milk, tears, semen, and vaginal secretions. CMV stays in the body for life, but women with a primary infection during pregnancy are most likely to pass the virus to their unborn babies. Transmission from mother to baby occurs in 33 percent of such cases, according to the CDC.
Treatment
No treatment is recommended for healthy people or pregnant women, according to the CDC. People with weakened immune systems may be treated with antiviral medications. Antiviral drugs may be an option for severe CMV in babies.
Prevention
Pregnant women should wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Avoiding the nasal secretions and saliva of young children can also help prevent CMV infection.
