Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can infect anyone.  CMV is usually harmless and rarely causes any illness. Most people acquire it  after birth and the virus remains dormant in the body  for life.This virus can be transmitted to the developing baby before child-birth.
 
There is no cure for CMV however there are drugs available to help treat newborn and people with weakened  immune system.

 

There are two types of infection. Primary infection which is can cause more serious problems during pregnancy  than recurrent infection. In people with weakened immune system, the virus may become active and cause CMV disease.

 

What causes CMV ?

 

CMV is related to the member of the herpesvirus family. Once you get infected with the virus, it remains with you for life although not always active. In healthy individuals it may remain dormant, however when reactivated , you can pass it on to another person.
 

How is CMV transmitted ?

 

This virus can be transmitted from one person to another. It can spread among people who live in the same household or among children in daycare. You can also get it through bodily fluids such as  urine, saliva, blood, tears, breast milk and  semen.

 

What are the symptoms of CMV ?

 

Most people remain asymptomatic when infected with the virus. However when symptoms do occur, they appear three to twelve weeks after infection. Symptoms may include :

• fever
• swollen glands
• fatigue

 

What is the effect of CMV on my pregnancy ?

 

Pregnant women who have this virus may not experience any symptoms, however their unborn baby may be at risk of congenital  CMV disease. The infection rate is about 30-50% . Of those babies infected, only a small percentage of about 10-15% show symptoms after primary maternal infection.

 

In pregnant women with recurrent infection, the risk of infecting their unborn child is about 1 %. Of this about 10 – 15 % remain asymptomatic  but still go on to have long-term problems such as hearing loss and learning disabilities.

 

Infants infected with the virus before birth may encounter the following problems :

• moderate liver and spleen enlargement
• eye problems
• small red spots on the skin
• seizures

 
You should however note that about 85 – 95% of babies infected have no symptoms or complications later in life.