Cytomegalovirus
(CMV) Fact Sheet
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of this Fact Sheet
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is caused by
a virus
CMV is a virus that is harmless to most people. CMV is
a member of the herpes group of viruses.
Most people get CMV at some time in their lives
Most adults and children who catch CMV have no symptoms
and are not harmed by the virus. Symptoms some people
may get are fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands.
CMV can stay in the body (latent form) and can reactivate
in some people.
CMV is usually spread through close person-to-person
contact
CMV may be found in body secretions, such as urine, saliva,
feces, blood and blood products, breast milk, semen and
cervical secretions. CMV can be in these secretions for
months to years after the infection. Infection is spread
from person to person through close contact, including
kissing as well as getting saliva or urine on your hands
and then touching your nose or mouth. A pregnant woman
who is infected may also pass the virus to her developing
baby. A baby may also be infected during birth, as a newborn,
and through breast feeding. CMV can be spread through
blood transfusion and organ transplantation.
Two groups of people are at higher risk of problems
from CMV:
- Unborn children of women who get CMV for the first
time or have a reactivation of infection during pregnancy.
About 7 to 10% of these babies will have symptoms at
birth or will develop disabilities including mental
retardation, small head size, hearing loss, and delays
in development.
- People with certain illnesses or on certain medicines
that weaken the immune system (for example, persons
with HIV, or persons taking chemotherapy or organ transplant
medicines). If infected, these people may get a more
serious illness.
Laboratory tests can look for the virus or for
antibodies to the virus
These tests can be ordered to diagnose CMV in a person
with symptoms. Antibody levels can be tested to see if
the person was infected with CMV in the past.
Exclusion of children with CMV is not necessary
Children known to have CMV should not be excluded from
school or child care facilities. This is because CMV is
very common and there are many other healthy children
who may have the virus too—so, good personal hygiene
is needed—all the time.
Prevent infection with good personal hygiene
CMV is widespread in the community. The best way to prevent
or lessen the chance of infection is through good hygiene.
Always wash your hands after diapering and handling any
baby at home or at work since urine and saliva are important
sources of CMV.
Pregnant women should check with their doctors
Pregnant women and women considering pregnancy should
realize that they may be at risk of CMV from contact with
saliva or urine of family members, others in the community,
and in occupational settings. A pregnant woman or a woman
who is considering pregnancy should talk to her doctor
if she cares for infants or young children, or handles
urine or saliva in any home or occupational setting. The
doctor may want to check her blood to see if she has been
exposed to CMV. Pregnant women do not necessarily need
to be excluded from such situations, but should know about
the possible risks at home and at work and that good personal
hygiene is the most important preventive measure. In situations
of good hygiene, even a woman who has never had CMV infection
is at very low risk of catching CMV.
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