Pregnancy is a period marked by anticipation, transformation and heightened vigilance for the health of both the mother and the baby. Among the many infections a pregnant woman may encounter, cytomegalovirus (CMV) often goes undetected, despite its potential to cause severe complications. CMV is a ubiquitous virus that typically manifests with mild or no symptoms in healthy individuals. Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy has the potential to cause severe harm to the fetus, which makes awareness, early diagnosis and professional treatment paramount.
Cytomegalovirus is a member of the herpes virus group and is very prevalent. In fact, it infects most people once in their lifetime without even knowing it. It normally lies latent in the body after primary infection but may reactivate under certain conditions, such as compromised immunity or pregnancy.
In the general population, CMV infection is relatively prevalent, affecting 50% to 80% of adults by the age of 40. Although it normally does no damage in a healthy person, it is more problematic if it occurs in pregnancy because of the risk of transferring the virus to the unborn infant.
A question that comes up all the time is: "Is CMV a STD?" The response is both yes and no.
CMV is also spread by sexual contact; hence, it is sometimes placed in the category of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Yet, it is not a "classic" STD. Unlike gonorrhea or chlamydia, CMV is generally transmitted by other body fluids—e.g., saliva, urine, breast milk, blood and tears. For instance, infants with CMV can spread the virus to their mothers during a drool or diaper change, which makes cytomegalovirus during pregnancy a possibility regardless of sexual contact.
Throughout pregnancy, the immune system of a woman is altered to make her more vulnerable to infections. If a pregnant woman develops CMV for the first time, particularly during the first or second trimester, the virus may cross the placenta and infect the fetus. This type of infection is referred to as congenital CMV and is the primary infectious cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities.
Certain babies born with congenital CMV present symptoms at birth, e.g., low birth weight, jaundice, or an enlarged liver, but others will develop issues later on, e.g., hearing loss or developmental delay. That is why the identification of symptoms of CMV in pregnancy and prompt treatment is important.
In most pregnant women, CMV infection is not noticed as the symptoms are usually mild and similar to a common cold or flu. Common symptoms are:
● Fatigue
● Low-grade fever
● Sore throat
● Muscle aches
● Swollen lymph nodes
However, because these symptoms are nonspecific, symptoms of CMV in pregnancy can easily be overlooked. Pregnant women experiencing persistent fatigue or flu-like symptoms should consult their doctor for possible CMV testing, especially if they have frequent exposure to toddlers or work in childcare.
A positive CMV test can be confusing. So, what does it mean when a pregnant woman is CMV IgG positive?
● CMV IgG signals a previous infection.
● CMV IgM indicates a recent or current infection.
If a pregnant woman is CMV IgG positive, that typically means she once had CMV and currently has some immunity. But is she safe? It's time-dependent. Physicians frequently use the CMV IgG avidity test to determine whether an infection is recent or old. Whether CMV IgG positive is good or bad in pregnancy is determined based on whether the infection took place pre-pregnancy or during pregnancy. A high-avidity outcome indicates that the infection is older and therefore less dangerous for the baby, whereas a low-avidity outcome indicates recent infection, carrying a higher risk of passing CMV to the fetus; hence, it needs rigorous monitoring.
During pregnancy, CMV diagnosis is made through blood tests to identify CMV IgG and IgM antibodies. In cases of suspected recent infection, additional examinations such as amniocentesis (testing of amniotic fluid) and focused ultrasound may be conducted to evaluate fetal health.
These tools enable physicians to determine if the baby is infected and design interventions accordingly. Timing is everything; early diagnosis results in improved outcomes.
There is currently no vaccine available against CMV. Preventive measures can, however, significantly reduce the risk of infection, particularly among pregnant women. They include:
● Cleaning hands thoroughly after handling diapers, saliva, or nasal secretions
● Not kissing young children on the lips
● Not sharing food, utensils, or beverages with toddlers
Although there is no antiviral therapy approved for administration in pregnant individuals to manage CMV, infants with proven CMV infections can receive antiviral drugs such as valganciclovir to prevent hearing loss and developmental delays.
Pregnant or planning to become pregnant, women should consult about CMV testing, particularly if they are working with young children. Frequent contact with the saliva and urine of small children is one of the most frequent transmission methods.
Stress management, personal hygiene and scheduling regular prenatal checkups can help identify and handle risks effectively. If you've tested positive for CMV IgG, don't worry. Consult your gynaecologist to determine the infection timeline and further course of action.
In pregnancy care, there is a name that stands out for its personalised care and state-of-the-art maternal-fetal care: Cloudnine Hospital. From initial screenings to diagnostic support at every level, Cloudnine ensures a multidisciplinary approach with the best gynaecologists, fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists. With their commitment to early detection and timely intervention in cases of infections such as CMV, both mother and child are given an optimal opportunity for a healthy outcome.
Cloudnine's empathetic care, latest technology and solid emphasis on maternal education empower women every step of their pregnancy journey, particularly when confronted with unanticipated complications such as cytomegalovirus in pregnancy.
While cytomegalovirus (CMV) is generally not a problem for healthy individuals, it takes on more importance in pregnancy because of the risk to the developing fetus. Being familiar with the symptoms of CMV in pregnancy helps you make sound choices.
Saving your baby begins with knowledge and proactive care. If you are pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, don't hesitate to speak to your medical practitioner about CMV screening and prevention.
Opt for best-in-class care, such as the one provided at Cloudnine, for thorough monitoring throughout every stage of your pregnancy. Book an appointment now.
