Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the family of herpes viruses. Just like its other representatives, it can persist in a person for life. In healthy people with normal immune systems, the infection proceeds without complications (and is often asymptomatic). However, CMV is dangerous in case of immunodeficiency and during pregnancy (for a child).

CMV is transmitted through various biological fluids (saliva, urine, semen, blood). You can get infected through unprotected sex, kissing, contact with urine or saliva. In addition, there is a "vertical" transmission route from mother to child (during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding).

It is especially important for pregnant women to know if they have been infected with CMV in the past. This is what determines whether the virus is dangerous for the fetus and newborn baby. If a woman has been infected before, then the risk to the child is minimal. Although an old infection may worsen during pregnancy, complications are rare in this form. If a pregnant woman has not been infected before, it turns out that during pregnancy she may become infected for the first time. This is exactly what is dangerous for the fetus/child. With a primary infection in a pregnant woman, the virus often enters the child's body. This does not mean that the child will get sick. Infection is usually asymptomatic, but in about 10% of cases it leads to congenital pathologies: microcephaly, cerebral calcification, rash, enlarged spleen and liver, decreased intelligence and deafness, even death is possible.

CMV is also dangerous when the immune system is weakened, for example, for AIDS patients and people who take immunosuppressants (during organ transplantation). At the same time, cytomegalovirus infection is severe.