What it is
It spreads through body fluids such as saliva and urine, often from young children. Pregnant women can lower the risk by washing hands after changing nappies and not sharing food or cutlery with young children.
Babies born with CMV may have hearing loss or other problems and are checked carefully. Antiviral medicines are used for some babies and for people with weak immune systems.
Common signs
- Often no symptoms
- Fever, tiredness, sore throat and swollen glands
- In newborns: small size, jaundice, rash or hearing problems
How it is usually diagnosed
- Blood tests for antibodies or the virus
- Urine or saliva test in newborns
- Hearing tests for babies born with CMV
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- CMV test results, with dates
- Pregnancy scan reports
- Newborn hearing and eye checks
- Antiviral treatment records
Questions to ask your doctor
- Has CMV affected my baby?
- What follow-up tests will my baby need?
- How can I reduce the risk in a future pregnancy?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- A newborn who is not feeding, very sleepy, or having seizures: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.