Worried that virus could be CMV - Am I being stupid to worry about this?

[tigertum]

I'm almost 10 weeks pregnant (no scan yet so rough guess) with my second child. My DS, 21 months has been poorly this week and I have been ill for the last two days. I went to bed with a sore throut, aching joints, thumping head, shivering skin etc and am only feeling vaguely human again now.

I remember reading that CMV is mostly caught from caring for young children and you should be careful about hygine. I am always having slobbery fingers poked in my mouth, kisses, sneezes in my face, sharing cups because DS likes to have a sip of my drink etc. I haven't done much to avoid this kind of contact because I feel its healthy and normal to be close and affectionte to your children and avoiding kisses on the cheek and washing hands everytime you get a bit of toddler slobber (which is what my old baby book said) is at the very least impractical and a bit unkind towards the toddler.

I hadn't really thought about it before, but now I've been so ill - I'm just feeling a bit worried. Is it worth telling my doctor and possibly ruling out that my horrible lurgy was pregnancy dangerous? I am just being stupid to even worry about this?

Don't really have any advice I'm afraid but bumping this for you, am sure someone will be along in a min.x

It's more likely to be flu TBH but your GP/midwife could do a blood test to see if you've had CMV in the past.

Have had an illness-filled pregnancy myself with a toddler bringing all her germs back from nursery - not fun & difficult to avoid catching things really.

What makes you think it could be CMV as opposed to a bad cold/ flu ?

Many People infected with CMV don't actually get any symptoms if thats any consolation, the only way to find out would be to have your antibody levels checked.

These would more than likely have been done in your first pregnancy, and around 50 % of pregnant women are already immune,

Speak to your GP or midwife they will be able to help you out better.

Hi LaylaandSethsmum & liath

Its just something that crossed my mind. I never felt ill during my first pregnancy. I had no toddler to look after when ill and avoided all the colds and virus's that we seem to get now. It feels like a bit of a different ball game this time around.

I just sat there this morning thinking surely it's no good for my pregnancy to be this ill. Then I remembered what I'd read about CMV the last time and thought - I really hope its not that.

Then I googled it and have scared myself a bit really. At the same time, I can't see how anyone who is pregnant with a toddler at home can avoid getting ill or the time or indeed catching something nasty like CMV if they are unlucky or not.