What is Cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
CMV is a common viral infection that affects many people, and currently there is no vaccine that can protect against it. Because infection usually does not cause illness in healthy people many people may be unaware they have been infected with the virus. However, CMV can have serious health effects for pregnant women and their unborn children.
More on the health effects of CMV
CMV infection
The first time that a person is infected with CMV is called a primary infection. After primary infection, the virus continues to live in the body in an inactive or dormant state. CMV can become active again periodically, and this is called a reactivation of infection. Reactivation of infection can occur, for example, when a person has another infection or illness, or during pregnancy. A previously infected person can also be infected with a different strain of CMV, and this is called a re-infection.
How CMV is spread
CMV is spread occupationally from person to person by contact with body fluids, including urine and saliva. A person can pass the virus to another person even though they do not have symptoms. Good hygiene and other control measures can be very effective in preventing the spread of CMV.
More on control measures to prevent CMV
CMV can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child during pregnancy. This is called congenital infection.
The risk of CMV infection in the child care industry
People who have occupational contact with young children are particularly at risk of CMV infection. Studies show that workers in child day-care centres are at highest risk, especially when caring for children younger than two years of age. This is because child care workers have frequent contact with children’s urine and saliva from activities such changing nappies, assisting with toilet care and feeding infants.
Health care workers caring for infants and children, and patients who have an impaired immune system may also be at increased risk.
Last updated September 14, 2006
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