Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV (cytomegalovirus) infection during pregnancy is a leading cause of birth anomalies and developmental disabilities in children, including hearing loss, vision loss, and other health problems. CMV spreads easily and often has no symptoms.

CMV spreads through saliva (drool), mucus (snot), and urine (pee).

Pregnant people are more at risk of CMV because it is common among healthy young children and pregnant people are often exposed to CMV by caring for babies and young children. Pregnant people can pass CMV to their unborn baby if they are infected during pregnancy.