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Cytomegalovirus Prevention
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is usually harmless and doesn't cause symptoms in healthy people. However, if you are pregnant and have an active CMV infection, the virus can pass through the placenta to your growing fetus. When a baby is born with CMV, the infection is known as congenital CMV (cCMV). Congenital CMV can be serious for some babies. About 1 out of every 5 babies with cCMV will be born with or develop lifelong health concerns.
How is CMV transmitted?
CMV is passed from person to person by direct contact with body fluids containing the virus. CMV is common among young healthy, children. High amounts of CMV can stay in a child's saliva and urine for months after infection. Children can pass the virus to others, including their parents and caregivers, during this time even if they don't seem sick. People who are around young children a lot are at greater risk of CMV infection.
How can a person reduce the risk of getting CMV?
Not all CMV infections can be prevented. However, you can lower your chance of getting CMV by reducing contact with saliva and urine from babies and young children. This is especially important if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.
Try to avoid touching your eyes or the inside of your nose or mouth after activities like wiping a child's nose or drool, feeding, changing a diaper, or handling toys until after you wash your hands. You can also try to follow these steps to protect yourself from CMV.
- Do not share food, drinks, eating utensils, or a toothbrush with a child.
- Do not put a child's pacifier in your mouth.
- Avoid contact with a child's saliva when kissing or snuggling. Kiss them on the forehead or the top of the head instead of on the lips or cheek.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds, especially after:
- Changing a diaper or helping a young child to use the toilet
- Wiping a young child's nose, mouth, or tears
- Feeding a young child
- Handling children's toys or touching a surface that may have a child's saliva or urine on it
Discuss CMV with your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Is there a vaccine for CMV?
There is no approved vaccine to prevent CMV infection. However, there are several CMV vaccines in the development stage, including some that have the goal of preventing cCMV. It will likely be several years before an effective CMV vaccine is available for use in the United States.