Prevention

Español: Prevención

Because CMV infection in healthy people is common and typically causes no symptoms, efforts to prevent transmission are not necessary for most groups of people.

Preventing Congenital CMV Infection

Pregnant women may want to take steps to reduce their risk of exposure to CMV and so reduce the risk of CMV infection of their fetus. (See Transmission to learn about possible spread of CMV infection during pregnancy.)

Here are a few simple steps you can take to avoid exposure to saliva and urine that might contain CMV:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds, especially after
  • changing diapers
  • feeding a young child
  • wiping a young child’s nose or drool
  • handling children’s toys
• Do not share food, drinks, or eating utensils used by young children
• Do not put a child’s pacifier in your mouth
• Do not share a toothbrush with a young child
• Avoid contact with saliva when kissing a child
• Clean toys, countertops, and other surfaces that come into contact with children’s urine or saliva

Learn about preventing CMV infection as well as Group B Strep (GBS) and listeriosis See Protect Your Unborn Baby or Newborn from Infections.

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