Can you have a baby if you have CMV?

Most people have been infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), but do not have symptoms. If a pregnant woman is infected with CMV, she can pass it to her developing baby. This is called congenital CMV, and it can cause birth defects and other health problems.

How can cytomegalovirus affect an unborn baby?

If you get infected with CMV during pregnancy, it may cause pregnancy loss or serious health problems in your baby, including preterm birth or low birthweight, or hearing loss at birth or later in life. CMV is the leading cause of hearing loss in this country, causing 1 in 3 cases of hearing loss.

Can you treat CMV while pregnant?

There’s currently no treatment for CMV in pregnancy, but in most cases the virus does not cause any problems for your baby. Antiviral medicine may be used to treat: babies diagnosed with congenital CMV after they’re born. people with a weakened immune system.

How long after CMV infection can I get pregnant?

If you are experiencing an active CMV infection, most experts recommend that women wait six to twelve months before trying to conceive again.

Should I worry about CMV in pregnancy?

Most CMV infections are “silent” and harmless, but in pregnant women, CMV can be transmitted to the fetus, with sometimes devastating effects to the unborn baby and newborn. Therefore, it is important if you are pregnant, or know someone who is pregnant, to be “CMV Aware” and “CMV Cautious”.

Should I worry about CMV?

See your doctor if: You have a weakened immune system and you’re experiencing symptoms of CMV infection. For people who have weakened immune systems, CMV infection can be serious or even fatal.

How can I avoid CMV during pregnancy?

5 Simple Tips to Help Prevent CMV

Do Not Share Food, Utensils, Drinks or Straws. Saliva may remain on food, cups or cutlery and could transfer a CMV infection to you and your unborn baby.
Do Not Put a Pacifier in Your Mouth.
Avoid Contact with Saliva when Kissing a Child.
Do Not Share a Toothbrush.
Wash Your Hands.

Does CMV cause miscarriage?

Q: What damage does CMV cause to a baby? CMV is responsible for 25% of childhood hearing loss (Goderis et al, 2014). Other disabilities include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, physical impairment, vision loss, behavioural and learning difficulties. CMV can also cause miscarriage or stillbirths.

How does a pregnant woman know if she has CMV?

Testing for CMV infection is a simple blood test, called a CMV IgG antibody. It will determine if a pregnant woman has had CMV. A positive result indicates a current or past CMV infection. A second blood test, called CMV IgM antibody will help determine if the CMV infection is current or past.

How common is CMV in babies?

In the United States, about 1% of infants are infected with CMV before birth. This happens because the mother had a first-time CMV infection or a reactivated infection during her pregnancy. An infected mother can pass the virus to her child before, during, or after birth.

What happens if a pregnant woman has CMV?

If a pregnant woman is infected with CMV, she can pass it to her developing baby. This is called congenital CMV, and it can cause birth defects and other health problems. If you are pregnant and have CMV, the virus in your blood can cross through your placenta and infect your developing baby.

Can a baby with cytomegalovirus be born healthy?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and pregnancy fact sheet CMV is a common viral infection, especially among young children. Congenital CMV occurs when the infection is passed across the placenta from a pregnant woman to her developing baby. Some babies with congenital CMV infection show signs of disability at birth, while others are born healthy.

How many babies are affected by CMV in Australia?

Studies in Australia have shown that out of 1,000 live births, about 6 infants will have congenital CMV infection and 1-2 of those 6 infants (about 1 in 1000 infants overall) will have permanent disabilities of varying degree. These can include hearing loss, vision loss, small head size, cerebral palsy,…

When to test for CMV in a baby?

Tests on a baby’s saliva, urine, or blood done within two to three weeks after birth can confirm if the baby has congenital CMV. Babies who show signs of congenital CMV at birth may be treated with medicines called antivirals.

Can you have a baby if you have CMV? Most people have been infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), but do not have symptoms. If a pregnant woman is infected with CMV, she can pass it to her developing baby. This is called congenital CMV, and it can cause birth defects and other health problems. How can…