AIBU to be worried about cytomegalovirus?

[Kangaroosjump]

TTC and have a toddler

My first mistake is that I read an article on the DM which I do know is incredibly fearmongering

But I can't unread it...

Is it just DM scaremongering or is it something it's sensible to take precautions over (and what?)

Is there any way to find out if your immune? If I discovered I was I think a pregnancy would be far less stressful with this info (although that works both ways, could be more stressful if I learned im not)

[Holden10]

Scaremongering!

[Kangaroosjump]

Bump

[ghostyslovesheep]

Scaremongering

[millymollymoomoo]

I've not read the article but I caught CMV in pregnancy - never heard of it until then and it CAN be really dangerous. I think all pregnant ladies should be made aware of this! I don't want to scare you but it is something you should be aware of and just take sensible precautions - good hygiene, not letting children kiss you on the mouth etc (hard when you have a toddler!)
My DD was whisked away straight after birth for a myriad of scans and test and 8 years later still has annual hearing tests (as CMV can cause congenital deafness). Fortunately she is ok but others don't fare so well.
Nothing wrong in being informed and then being able to make sensible choices
Try looking at this site which has lots of simple information and advice

cmvaction.org.uk/what-cmv

[LurcioAgain]

It can be very damaging if you are unlucky enough to get it at the wrong point in pregnancy (a friend did - her DD, who is lovely, has hearing and sight problems, severe developmental delay and autism). But I think it is incredibly rare for a child to be this badly affected, and there's sod-all you can do about it, so try your best to file it away under the "I could be struck by lightning tomorrow" level of risk and try not to think about it.

However, its effects are very similar to those of rubella in pregnancy - and that you can do something about. Make sure you're innoculated before you start TTC, and make sure your children are innoculated at some point so they don't have to worry about either themselves or their future spouses at a later date.

[Roseotto]

Not scaremongering at all. A friend of a friend's baby was affected and it is heartbreaking.
Unfortunately the recommendations for avoiding transmission in pg are pretty unrealistic (don't kiss your toddler etc). I had a few blood tests throughout to check my cmv status. My obstetrician understood the worry. Fortunately I remained negative throughout.
Like GBS it's one of those things that is usually harmless but can occasionally have devastating consequences. I understand vaccines are in early stage development. Until then just get a blood test and try to follow th recommendations if yo do get pregnant.

[Kangaroosjump]

Is blood testing possible in the UK? I'd be happy to pay if not on the NHS. I thought the NHS stopped testing for it... Not sure why though

[Kangaroosjump]

Thanks yes re the rubella, I should be immune (had MMR and was immune in last pregnancy) and though my tot is also vaccinated against it.

The thought of not kissing him on the face for an entire pregnancy makes me feel really sad - though now I know about it Id probably worry uneccessarily if I did