How worried to be about CMV - 2nd pregnancy and 2 year old

[crystalcastles]

I'm wondering how concerned other mums with young children are about CMV?

I'm following the NHS guidance so not sharing cutlery/food etc and not kissing my little boy on the mouth or cheek. But occasionally he will accidentally catch me in the mouth or on my face while we're having a cuddle or he's using me as a climbing frame and it always leaves me feeling really anxious.

I had very severe anxiety and OCD while I was pregnant with him, and also had a MMC at 12 weeks (blighted ovum only found at dating scan) earlier this year.

I don't want to stop cuddling him for the next 6 months + obviously but I'm just trying to find some perspective on what other mums think or do about this. Thanks.

It has genuinely never even crossed my mind. It's never been mentioned by MW or other medical staff either. My little boy turns 3 next month (I'm 26wks pregnant) and there would be no chance of me not kissing him. I can't imagine doing that unless absolutely necessary.

Sorry I might have misunderstood....do you mean your toddler has the virus already? And are you currently pregnant?

Honestly OP I think the vast majority haven’t heard of it and do not give it a second’s thought beyond the usual precautions if a family member has an active cold sore or chickenpox. Please talk to someone about getting some help for your anxiety. You don’t have to live like this.

Hi OP,

It’s actually worth looking into as far more common than is discussed in the UK. Other countries are much more aware and talk to pregnant women about it.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things.

CMV action has a lot of good info:
cmvaction.org.uk/what-cmv/basics-about-virus

I believe you can also get an antibody test, as I think, although you will need to check, that it’s only dangerous if you catch it for the first time while you are pregnant.

Thank you for the responses all.

To clarify yes I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant. I don't know that he has an active infection but have read that it's very common among pre school age children so that's where my worry comes from.

I think actually people don’t worry enough about CMV! As pp have said, in some countries it’s more routine to screen for it. Obviously it’s not great to be overly anxious but I think it’s good that you’re mindful.
As far as I know, in the NHS it’s probably not worth askingfor an antibody test as there’s no screening program in place - also you can get infection even if youve had it before. Safe to assume all toddlers have it too.
But, it’s like everything in pregnancy - there are risks, as long as you’re taking reasonable precautions you have to try not to let it consume too much energy. If you’re struggling with these worries then it may be some peripartum anxiety - worth talking to your doctor.
If it helps - there’s basically zero risk of any long term problem related to CMV from infection after 14 weeks so at least maybe you can de stress a bit then!

Thanks @TenThousandSpoons0, that's interesting regarding the risks after 14 weeks. Though knowing myself I will just find something else to be anxious about then!

I think I am taking all reasonable precautions at the moment so yes I do need to just give the worry less headspace if possible.