CMV- someone please advise!

[Lozz91]

Hi all
I came across cmv the other night ( have never heard of it before) and have become really a paranoid about this. My partner suffers from cold sores and has had one recently, he stayed it had scabbed up so had kissed me etc however since turning 30 weeks pregnant I feel completely naff, feeling achy and exhausted. I’m now terrified I’ve caught cmv and it’s going to damage baby! I have a history of cold sores myself when I was younger but haven’t suffered for a couple of years now

I don't think CMV is the same as the cold sore virus, it's just in the same family of viruses.

Cmv is not the same as hpv. Hpv being the virus involved with cold sores. Most adults have already been exposed to cmv and are already covered positive. Symptoms are just like a common cold. Cmv is only dangerous to fetus if a cmv negative mother is exposed during pregnancy.

Cmv positive* not covered

If you've had cold sores yourself, even a long time ago, you'll be fine and your baby is fine

OP you need to see your GP and get tested. This can either put your mind at rest or if you did turn out to have it they can support you.

Hi

I came across CMV 3 years ago when I caught it at 5 weeks pregnant. It was a primary infection for me and had never heard of it before. Unfortunately for me it led to a number of complications and not a happy ending. However I can tell you that if you get tested and doctors are aware of CMV if it is a primary infection they can test as soon as the baby is born and give treatment.

In many cases cmv doesn't cross over into the placenta however doctors can check too and again if this was the case they can give medication.

Try not to worry most people have already had it at some point in their life. Get an antibody blood test from your doctors and they will be able to tell you everything.

Best of luck xx

CMV is in the same family as cold sores, chickenpox and shingles but you can't catch CMV from cold sores and the other way around (true for all of them). I found out I'm CMV negative because you have to have your blood tested when you go through sperm donations. But this is quite rare, most people have had the virus without being aware and have immunity. There is a risk (but still small) that if you are negative you may get an active infection and that this may infect your unborn child. If you get seriously ill (so more than a bit run down) there is a serious risk but this is very unlikely to happen. From what I read the main infection risk comes from young childrens' (1-4) bodily fluids so keeping good hygiene: washing hands, being careful with urine and not sharing spoons or dummies are good steps to avoid infection. That said I have worked with little children all my life and have had all other infections within the CMV family and for some reason I was negative (I don't know if it has changed since). I don't think you need to worry too much.

But if you are feeling bad and run down consult your doctor or midwife for advice. You may be low on iron. Cold sores are not great for a newborn so if you or your husband have one around the birth you should ask for advice to prevent infection. But that is also nothing to really worry about. Take care! X

If you are concerned please get in touch with CMV Action on our free helpline 0808 802 0030 or visit our website cmvaction.org.uk

it's only relevant if you were initially negative and exposed to it for the first time in pregnancy (it has nothing to do with cold sores btw). If your partner has it and you've been sleeping with him for at least a month before pregnancy it is likely you were exposed to it prior to your pregnancy. Unless he cheated it's unlikely he caught it during your pregnancy.

If you're run down please speak to your GP but sadly it's likely to just be third trimester symptoms