Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV - Fact Sheet for Child Care Providers

What is CMV and Congenital CMV? 

CMV is a common virus. Anyone, at any age, can get CMV. Over half of adults in the U.S. have been infected with the virus by age 40. Most healthy people don’t know that they have CMV because it doesn’t usually cause any symptoms or harmful effects. 

However, if you are pregnant and have CMV, the virus can pass through the placenta to your growing fetus. When a baby is born with CMV, it is known as congenital CMV. Congenital CMV can be serious and may harm the brain, eyes, or inner ears of some babies infected before birth. Taking steps to reduce your risk of getting CMV is especially important if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.