Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
What is it?
- An infection caused by virus that commonly occurs in early childhood. Most people have been exposed to the virus by the time they are adults
Signs and Symptoms
- Most children and adults do not have symptoms. Some may develop fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and swollen glands in the neck
How do you get it?
- To get the virus, you must have close, intimate contact with a person’s saliva, urine, or other bodily fluids.
- CMV can be passed by sexual contact, transplanted organs, breast milk, and from a pregnant woman to her baby
Complications
- People with weakened immune systems can have more serious illnesses such as liver infections (hepatitis), pneumonia, anemia and blindness
- Babies can develop brain and growth problems and eye or ear problems if infected before birth.
Prevention
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after diaper changes and when working with young children
- Teach people to cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing and not to share food, drinks or eating utensils
- Contact your doctor if you have been in contact with someone who has CMV and you are pregnant or have HIV, AIDS, cancer, or any disease that affects the immune system
An individual does not need to be excluded from daycare/school/work if they have CMV
