If you are pregnant, you can take steps to avoid getting a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. People at increased risk of developing CMV, such as people receiving an organ transplant or having chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer), can also take steps to avoid getting an infection.
Pregnant women
If you are pregnant, taking some basic precautions can reduce your risk of developing a CMV infection:
- Wash your hands regularly using soap and hot water, particularly before preparing food, before eating, after close contact with children and after changing nappies.
- Avoid kissing a young child on the face. Hugging a child, or kissing them on the head, presents no extra risk.
- Do not share eating utensils (forks and spoons) with young children, or drink from the same glass as them.
These precautions are particularly important if you have a job that brings you into close contact with young children, such as working in a day care centre or nursery.
If your job involves spending a considerable amount of time with young children, you can have a blood test to find out whether you have previously been infected with CMV.
Organ transplants
CMV is one of the main causes of illness and death during the first six months after having an organ transplant. Up to half of people who receive a transplant will develop a CMV infection that causes symptoms.
If you are having an organ transplant, it is likely that you will be given antiviral medicines to help prevent a CMV infection developing. For example, you may be given antiviral medication if you are having a:
Antiviral medicines have proved very effective in preventing CMV infection in people who have received tranplants.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy lowers the amount of infection-fighting white blood cells in your body. If the number of white blood cells is reduced, your immune system (the body’s natural defence system against infection and illness) will be weakened and you will be more vulnerable to infections, including CMV.
As well as maintaining a high level of hygiene (see the box, right), you can help prevent infections developing by:
- having daily showers or baths and washing your clothes, towels and bed linen regularly
- avoiding contact with people who have serious infections, such as chickenpox or flu
- taking extra care not to cut or graze your skin - if you do, clean the area thoroughly with warm water, dry it and cover it with a sterile dressing
- eating a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
- resting when you need to
Contact your GP if you think you may have an infection, for example if you have a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above or you are feeling shivery. For more information, see the Health A-Z topic about Chemotherapy - side effects.
Vaccination
Possible vaccinations for CMV are being researched.
One possible vaccine is aimed at young women. The theory is that vaccinating women before they become pregnant could reduce the risk of congenital CMV.
Another possible vaccine is aimed at people who are having organ transplants. The aim is to prevent the donated organ causing a new CMV infection or reactivating an existing CMV infection.
Due to the stringent safety checks that all new medicines and vaccinations have to go through, it will be several years before routine vaccinations against CMV become available.
