Physical signs
Effects on the unborn baby
Tests and treatments
Cytomegalovirus (or 'CMV') is a viral infection. It is not highly contagious, but you can become infected through close, personal contact with saliva or urine from young children, or through sexual contact and kissing with an infected adult. Women with young children, teachers, healthcarers and childcarers need to be aware of infection control, by washing their hands and/or wearing gloves when dealing with nappies or saliva (soiled tissues etc).
The incubation period for CMV (or the time period from coming in contact with the virus and becoming infected) is about 28 to 60 days, with an average of 40 days.
Physical signs
Most infected adults do not show any physical signs at all. However, if they do occur, they are usually similar to glandular fever symptoms (or mononucleosis), including a headache, sore throat, weakness and unusual fatigue.
Effects on the unborn baby
CMV infection is experienced by about 1 to 4% of pregnant women. Of these women, about 40 to 50% of babies become infected (about 1% of all births). This may lead to miscarriage or preterm birth or the baby being physically affected. If the pregnancy is less than 20 weeks, about 5 to 15% of babies are born with obvious abnormalities. These may include a small head and brain (microcephaly), impaired growth, an enlarged liver and eye and ear defects. Up 30% of affected babies die soon after birth. Of the babies who survive, 85-90% have long term health affects, such as hearing loss, blindness and/or mental retardation.
About 15% of babies who have been infected during pregnancy show no physical signs of illness or abnormalities at birth, but may develop hearing loss within the first 2 years of life.
If the woman is infected close to the birth (or while breastfeeding), and their baby is infected, they rarely become unwell.
Tests and treatments