What is it?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a very common infection that usually causes either no symptoms or a mild fluke illness in children and adults.  Once a person is infected with CMV, they can carry the virus, usually with no symptoms, for life.

CMV can be dangerous for people with immune problems (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer chemotherapy, organ transplants) who can develop serious illnesses including pneumonia and blindness.

CMV can also be dangerous for pregnant women who can spread the disease to their fetus.  If a woman had CMV before pregnancy, it is very unlikely that her baby would be affected.  However, if a woman catches CMV for the first time during her pregnancy, there is approximately 40% chance that the baby might be born with CMV infection.  Although most babies infected with CMV do not develop symptoms, approximately 10-20% may develop symptoms such as hearing loss, vision damage, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy.

How is it Spread?
CMV is spread by contact with the body fluids that carry the virus, primarily urine and saliva.  It can also be spread through blood, breast milk, and sexual contact.

When is it Contagious?
Some people are contagious with CMV for a very short time; others can also spread the virus for months to years.

How is it Diagnosed and Treated?
Rarely, blood or urine tests might be used to diagnose CMV infection. There is usually no treatment needed for CMV infection.  for people with immune problems who are at risk for serious illness, antiviral medication and/or immune treatments may be given.

Should the Child Stay Home?
A child with CMV infection does not need to stay home.

How Can We Limit the Spread?

• Wash hands thoroughly after diapering and toileting, and contact with saliva and blood.
• Don't share food, pacifiers, bottles, or toothbrushes.  Wash eating utensils and drinking cups well between uses.
• Clean and disinfect mouthed toys and dining tables after each use.  Clean and disinfect water fountains, telephone receivers, and other frequently handled items daily.
• Don't kiss children on the mouth - hug them and kiss them on the forehead instead.
• Female staff who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant should discuss the issue with their health care provider.  A blood test may be done to check prior exposure (antibodies) to CMV.

Information provided on this page is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of medical treatment.  The recommendations do not indicate a course of treatment or medical care.

These are guidelines to develop policies and procedures for preventing, recognizing and managing communicable disease in child care.  If the children in your care have been exposed to this disease, you may copy this exposure notice and hand out to your day care parents.

This Exposure Notice has been copied from "Keeping Kids Healthy, Preventing and Managing Communicable Disease in Child Care", a project of the The Center for Health Training funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division.