Africa: Cmv Infection Can Pass From Mother to Baby During Pregnancy. Here's How to Prevent It

Pregnant women are often advised to take precautions against certain infections, but fewer are aware of the risks of cytomegalovirus, or CMV. According to The Conversation AU, CMV is the most common infection passed from mother to baby during pregnancy and a preventable cause of childhood disability.

CMV spreads through direct contact with body fluids, particularly from young children who can shed high levels of the virus in their saliva, nasal mucus, and urine for long periods without showing symptoms. The Conversation AU reports that simple precautions such as not sharing food, drinks, or utensils with young children, washing hands after changing nappies or wiping noses, can reduce infection.

Early testing and targeted education for CMV-negative women has been shown to reduce infection rates. The Conversation AU cites a study that found education can reduce infection rates from 7.6% to 1.6%, meaning only 17 at-risk pregnant women need to be given this information to prevent one CMV infection during pregnancy.

Brief written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health, The Conversation AU — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.