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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Signed off work due to CMV - anyone else had this?

42 replies

CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 05:54

I saw my gynae yesterday for a scan and blood test results, I'm 7+5. Should probably also say here that I'm non-UK.

I'm a primary teacher, and so they did an extra blood test for cytomegalovirus which you are at risk from if you work with young children.

So, everything is absolutely fine except that they found I've got no immunity against cytomegalovirus. I had never heard of this before, but apparently its related to the herpes virus, causes flu-ey symtoms and isn't serious usually, but causes serious birth defects if you get it during pregnancy. In fact, when I googled it seems to be THE main cause of cerebral palsy and is more prevalent than Downs, or spina bifida (sorry if I'm not being totally accurate, this is just what I remember reading).

All the prevention advice seems to be about washing your hands more, avoiding sharing cutlery or kissing small children etc. However, in this country you are signed off work totally, with immediate effect. Does this happen anywhere else? I actually have a letter from the doctor which means that it is illegal for my employers to have me in work (as far as I understand it).

So, what I'm wondering is, has anyone else ever had/heard of this? I'm in the dark as I didn't even know it existed before yesterday, and now I'm off work for the rest of the year (due Christmas) - also got no idea whether I get paid/sick pay/maternity/whatever.

I'm due to see my bosses this morning and I'm quite anxious about what they're going to do/say.

Does anyone have any information at all or know anyone this has happened to?

Thanks x

OP posts:
MarieFromStMoritz · 08/05/2012 05:56

CMV is very common. I am surprised you have not picked it up already, seeing as you work with children. So, have they signed you off for the entire pregnancy?

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 06:04

Yes, "indefinitely" the letter says.

I'm amazed, reading about it that I had never heard if it before. Is it so unusual not to be immune, do you know?

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Thumbwitch · 08/05/2012 06:06

Goodness! I've never heard of anyone being signed off work for CMV, no. It's prevalent in around 50% of the UK adult population though and mostly people won't even have known they had it - it's one of those viruses that you catch almost without knowing, might feel a bit ill etc. but it passes quickly enough (IF you're not immunosuppressed - if you are, it's a different story and can lead to a type of pneumonia)

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 06:08

I don't have CMV Thumbwitch, I've never had it, therefore am not immune to it, and if I get it now it can cause birth defects. So to prevent me being at risk of infection I have been signed off work until December.

Do teachers in the UK get signed off work if they don't have the immunity? Or just told to wash their hands more?

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MarieFromStMoritz · 08/05/2012 06:12

I thought CMV was only a huge risk if you were HIV positive. Do you think your doctor has been a bit over-zealous?

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 06:16

Its not a risk to me, only to the unborn baby.

I think doctors generally over here are a bit overzealous tbh.

I'm the 3rd person to become pregnant in my school this school year. I'm the 2nd to be signed off for the entire pregnancy, and the 3rd person had to go home for 5 days every time a child got scarlet fever in school (but she was also inhospital a lot, I'm not sure what for).

I'm not legally allowed to work with the low immunity, so in a way its the policy, not my doctor, who is overzealous.

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MarieFromStMoritz · 08/05/2012 06:24

Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking?

Considering that 60% of women are not immune to CMV, that means that 60% of women will be signed off work whilst pregnant, presumably.

Thumbwitch · 08/05/2012 06:42

Marie - CMV is a risk to anyone who is immunosuppressed, that includes people who have had transplants, people who are on chemotherapy for leukaemia and other cancers etc.

CupofBrown: Do you have normal reactions to vaccines etc.? Have you been tested for them?
It may be that you have just never come across CMV before so have no immunity because of that, or it may be that you don't make antibodies easily. But no, I can't imagine anyone in the UK being signed off - it's not usually tested for in the UK except if you donate blood (all units are tested).

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 06:46

I see what you mean Marie, just to add to that you have to be in that 60% plus work in one of the affected jobs, ie with young children.

And thumbwitch afaik I don't have a problem making antibodies; my system has just not come across cmv before, therefore does not have any immunity.

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Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 06:49

Sorry, I live in Germany, it's VERY family friendly here, regarding any sort of national policy. The government are also very generous regarding benefits to families. I'll receive 67% of my monthly income from the state for 12 months after I give birth for example....

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OddBoots · 08/05/2012 07:01

I've kind of heard of it, I've been a host surrogate which involves carrying an embryo formed with the eggs of another woman. When we approached the IVF clinic we were told they would only help us if I was immune to CMV or if both the mother and I weren't. They didn't want to risk the embryo giving me CMV just as I became pregnant for the reason of birth defects.

I'm not sure when over the pregnancy is thought of as a sensitive period where CMV will cause harm (possibly all of it) but it does sound sensible to avoid high risk places (even if that is your work place) if you can if you have no immunity to it.

MarieFromStMoritz · 08/05/2012 07:04

Marie - CMV is a risk to anyone who is immunosuppressed, that includes people who have had transplants, people who are on chemotherapy for leukaemia and other cancers etc.

You are right. I focused on the HIV because when I was pg with my DS, I read in my notes that I was CMV positive. No-one said anything to me, so I did a search on MSN and literally thousands of searches came up about HIV. I was convinced that CMV was a variant of HIV and that I was ill and possibly going to die. It was awful.

Thumbwitch · 08/05/2012 09:02

God Marie, that must have worried you witless! It is indeed a big problem for AIDS patients, and can be the factor that kills them, but in itself it's usually a fairly harmless virus (where no immunosuppression exists, that is).

this is the NHS position on CMV - the Germans might be being over-cautious but if you're getting paid reasonably then it sounds like you're on a winning wicket really :)

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 09:35

Thanks for the link. it sounds as if the German authorities are being a bit overcautious, but to be honest with the risks I am glad that they are taking it so seriously.

I'm just a bit gutted about my job I suppose. I love it, and feel like I'm letting everyone (particularly the kids) down.

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AmandinePoulain · 08/05/2012 10:27

I work with newborns, and we occasionally have a baby admitted with CMV. The babies can be given very strong anti virals if they are still showing signs of the infection, but obviously if they have caught it early on in pregnancy and it's caused congenital defects it's too late for that. The drugs we give are fairly new - there's no long term safety data so giving them is not itself without potential risk.

I requested bloods to check my immunity when I booked in, and was surprised that despite my contact with infected babies in the past I've never myself had CMV, or if I have I've got no immunity to it. I've taken that to mean that it actually isn't that infectious, and that my hand washing must be pretty good! Grin

It does worry me though. Pregnant women are encouraged not to go near babies that we know to have CMV, but that can only apply to the ones that we know about. Saying that, I'm not sure that I'd want to take my entire pregnancy off for that reason - as lovely as that sounds financially I'm assuming you'll be worse off? Enjoy the rest though! Smile

NichyNoo · 08/05/2012 10:52

I'm in Belgium and a lady who worked at my son's creche had to give up her job when she became pregnant as she was not immune to CMV.

MarieFromStMoritz · 08/05/2012 12:26

I'm just a bit gutted about my job I suppose. I love it, and feel like I'm letting everyone (particularly the kids) down.

That must be really hard. I do feel for you. Have you thought about what you will do whilst you are off? Could you write a children's book, or something?

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 13:05

I'm lucky in that respect Marie, as DP has his own business which I'm able to potter about in as much or as little as I like.

I'm also planning to do lots of baking and keeping fit!!

I've also got a wedding to organise in July and we're moving house... so once I get used to the thought, I might be glad of the extra time.

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treefumaster · 08/05/2012 13:10

gosh that's quite something. I was CMV negative so was very fearful of getting CMV during pregnancy (I used a donor and they test for CMV before you can go ahead so that's how I knew). But I was just extra vigilant about handwashing etc. I don't think anyone here would get signed off because of the risk of catching it. But if they are prepared to sign you off, then make the most of your time before the baby!

TheSecondComing · 08/05/2012 13:16

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MarieFromStMoritz · 08/05/2012 13:21

TheSecondComing, I am sorry to hear about your sister's baby. I hope he makes a full recovery.

I think Thumbwitch was referring to the illness generally. Which is true, in that most people don't even realise they have it. I don't think she meant it is harmless to an unborn baby.

Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 14:25

afaik its harmless to the mother, but can have very serious consequences for the unborn baby.

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TheSecondComing · 08/05/2012 17:57

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Original poster
CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 19:23

Thanks for posting that TheSecondComing. Having had a DB with severe disabilities, I won't be taking any risks...

My boss asked me today if I would go in and do my job wearing a surgical mask Hmm

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TheSecondComing · 08/05/2012 23:19

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