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Cytomegalovirus and Congenital Cytomegalovirus
Resources for Child Care and Education Professionals
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus. Most healthy people don’t know they have had a CMV infection because it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms or harmful effects. However, if you are pregnant and get CMV, 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.
About 1 out of every 5 babies with congenital CMV will be born with or develop long-term health concerns such as hearing loss, vision impairment, seizures, or developmental disabilities. Taking steps to reduce your risk of getting CMV is important if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.
CMV is passed from person to person by direct contact with body fluids like urine or saliva and is especially common in young children who attend child care. 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 parents and caregivers, during this time even if they don't seem sick.
People who work closely with young children in places like child care centers, schools, or who provide family child care within their home have a higher risk of getting a CMV infection than those who don’t work in such settings.
Tips to reduce your risk of getting CMV
- 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 or mouth, and
- Handling children's toys or touching a surface that may have a child's saliva or urine on it.
- Avoid putting things in your mouth that have just been in a child’s mouth such as cups, eating utensils, pacifiers, or toothbrushes.
- Avoid sharing food or drink with a young child.
- Try to avoid contact with saliva when kissing a young child. For example, kiss them on the forehead instead of on the lips or cheek.
- Properly disinfect toys, changing tables, and other surfaces that may have a child’s urine or saliva on them.
Discuss CMV with your health care provider if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.
Parents of young children in child care also have a higher risk of getting a CMV infection than those who don’t have a child in such settings. Child care and education professionals should help teach families about CMV and ways that they can reduce their risk of getting CMV by sharing this information.
Resources
- CMV and Congenital CMV Fact Sheet for Child Care Providers (PDF)
- Are you pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant? Learn about CMV (PDF)
- Minnesota Low Incidence Projects: Congenital Cytomegalovirus