CDC - CMV: Homepage

Cytomegalovirus (sy toe MEG a low vy rus), or CMV, is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Most CMV infections are "silent," meaning most people who are infected with CMV have no signs or symptoms. However, CMV can cause disease in people with a weakened immune system and in babies infected before birth. About 1 in 150 children is born with congenital (present at birth) CMV infection...more

CMV and Pregnancy

CMV infection can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Most infants born with congenital (present at birth) CMV infection don't have problems. But CMV infection in a pregnant woman can cause birth defects and, in rare cases, death in infants infected before birth. If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the best way to protect your pregnancy from CMV is to protect yourself...more

CMV Topics

Transmission

How cytomegalovirus is spread...

Testing and Diagnosis

CMV testing during pregnancy and CMV testing of infants within first week of birth...

Congenital CMV Trends & Statistics

Facts and graphs on CMV infection in the United States...

Prevention

Reducing the possible spread of CMV infection during pregnancy...

Congenital CMV Infection

Signs of congenital CMV infection, treatment for babies born with CMV infection...

People at Risk for Complications

Pregnant women, people who care for children, persons with weakened immune systems...

For Healthcare Professionals

Characteristics of virus, at-risk patients, interpretation of laboratory tests...

References and Resources

Other sources of information...

CMV-related Podcasts

Staying Healthy When a Baby's on the Way
Ways pregnant women can prevent CMV infection by practicing common hygiene.
Date Released: 1/31/2008
0:59 minutes | 6:05 minutes
Put Your Hands Together
learn how to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy.
Date Released: 10/14/2008
3:48 minutes

Trends and Statistics

Congenital (present at birth) CMV infection causes more long-term problems and childhood deaths than Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and neural tube defects. In the United States, congenital CMV causes one child to become disabled every hour...more

Feature Story: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease: The Congenital Disease Mothers Don’t Know About

Prevention

Pregnant women may want to take steps to reduce their risk of exposure to CMV...more

CMV e-Card

Send an eCard to a pregnant friend or family member:

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