Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

**Most people get CMV at some time in their lives** 

Most adults and children who catch CMV have no symptoms and are not harmed by the virus. Symptoms some people may get are fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands. CMV can stay in the body (latent form) and can reactivate in some people. 

CMV is usually spread through close person-to-person contact (Various ways)

 CMV may be found in body secretions, such as urine, saliva, feces, blood and blood products, breast milk, semen and cervical secretions. CMV can be in these secretions for months to years after the infection. Infection is spread from person to person through close contact, including kissing as well as getting saliva or urine on your hands and then touching your nose or mouth. **A pregnant woman who is infected may also pass the virus to her developing baby (Congenital CMV).** A baby may also be infected during birth, as a newborn, and through breast feeding. CMV can be spread through blood transfusion and organ transplantation. 

 Two groups of people are at higher risk of problems from CMV: 

• Unborn children of women who get CMV for the first time or have a reactivation of infection during pregnancy. **About 7 to 10% of these babies will have symptoms at birth or will develop disabilities including mental retardation, small head size, hearing loss, and delays in development.** 

• People with certain illnesses or on certain medicines that weaken the immune system (for example, persons with HIV, or persons taking chemotherapy or organ transplant medicines). If infected, these people may get a more serious illness.