Cytomegalovirus

Until Tuesday, I had never heard of cytomegalovirus, or CMV as it is often shortened to. After talking to the paediatrician, I decided to look this virus up, and familiarise myself with it as much as I possibly could. I was astounded. CMV is the leading cause of disabilities in newborn infants. More babies are effected each year by CMV than downs syndrome, toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, spina bifida or cystic fibrosis. In fact, according to CMV Action 1 in 1000 newborns will be permanently damaged by CMV. Yet it had not been mentioned to me even once throughout either of my pregnancies. Even more shocking is that upon mentioning it to one of the health visitors, she had no idea about it either. That to me speaks volumes. People need to be aware of CMV. Which is why this entry is so important. If you do anything today, read this entry and share what you learn with as many people as will listen. If even one person reads this and learns something, my blog will have served its purpose.

CMV is a very common virus that is part of the herpes family of viruses. Most people will catch this virus at some point in their life. Chances are you've already had it and were completely oblivious. Most people will not have any symptoms. Others will experience cold or flu like symptoms. In most cases, it does not present a danger. You have it and then it clears up and you're none the wiser. Unless you're pregnant. If you catch this virus for the first time between 12 and 24 weeks pregnant, there is a 1 in 3 chance that it will cross the placenta and infect your unborn child with devastating consequences. CMV is particularly rife in children aged 6 and under. It is most commonly transmitted through bodily fluids. Therefore, pregnant women in close contact with children aged 6 and under are advised to avoid sharing cutlery, drink, dummies and food with them. They are also advised to avoid kissing children on the lips or cheek, instead kissing them on the forehead or giving them lots of cuddles. Of course adults can be infected too, so obvious hygiene measures come into play such as thoroughly washing your hands with hot soapy water after coming into contact with any bodily fluids. Condoms are also advised when partaking in sexual intercourse post conception.

There is no vaccine against CMV at present. People who have already contracted the virus will have antibodies present, but this does not necessarily mean that you are safe against it. As with most illnesses there are different strains. The only way to avoid contraction is by following the measures mentioned above. However, a simple blood test will be able to tell whether you have immunity to certain strains of CMV, and therefore how likely you are to contract it at some point in the future. Antiviral treatment is available to newborns in severe and obvious cases. But once the damage is done, it is done. No amount of antiviral drug will be able to reconstruct the organs effected. Obviously, this will lead to the child proceeding with conditions caused by the virus, in Anna's case, brain damage causing cerebral palsy. You can read more about CMV at the following web addresses:

http://cmvaction.org.uk/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cytomegalovirus/pages/introduction.aspx
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/cytomegalovirus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytomegalovirus

Although we're still not 100% sure whether it is CMV that has caused Anna's brain damage, her blood tests indicate that she has been exposed to this at some point, most likely in pregnancy.

I have decided that I will not be posting daily from here. Instead I will post as and when things happen, when I feel like there is something I should let people know and when I feel like I need to get things off my chest. Thank you everybody for your support so far, we're overwhelmed with the amount of well wishes and kind words we've received. It is fantastic to know we're surrounded by such lovely people! Love to you all x