09/06/2026
Did you know? Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common infections that can affect a baby during pregnancy β yet awareness remains surprisingly low.
CMV is a common virus that belongs to the herpes virus family. Most people will contract CMV at some point in their lives and may never know it because it often causes no symptoms or only mild cold-like symptoms.
However, if CMV is contracted for the first time during pregnancy, it can sometimes be passed to the baby. This is known as congenital CMV (cCMV) and, in some cases, can lead to hearing loss, developmental delays, vision impairment, cerebral palsy, and other lifelong disabilities.
During CMV Awareness Month, we're helping raise awareness about congenital CMV and the simple steps that can help reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy, including:
β¨ Washing your hands regularly, especially after changing nappies or wiping a child's nose or saliva
β¨ Avoiding sharing food, drinks, utensils, or toothbrushes with young children
β¨ Cleaning toys, dummies, and surfaces that may come into contact with saliva or urine
These small everyday actions can make a big difference. π
Learn more about CMV and protecting your baby during pregnancy via the link in our bio.