June is Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month: a common virus which is a leading cause of cerebral palsy
While many people may not be familiar with with cytomegalovirus (CMV), it is now known to be a leading cause of cerebral palsy. More than 400 Australian children are born with lifelong disabilities caused by CMV each year.
CMV is a common virus which is generally harmless to children and adults with healthy immune systems and it is often symptomless. However, if a pregnant woman is infected with CMV, there is a risk for the unborn baby to also become infected, potentially causing damage to the baby's developing brain. People who care for (or work with) young children are at increased risk of becoming infected through activities like nappy changes.
June is CMV Awareness Month. Cerebral Palsy Alliance, a consortium partner of My CP Guide, is working with CMV Australia to bring more attention to the virus and to encourage simple preventative actions that expectant mothers can take to reduce their risk of infection:
- Wash with care: Wash your hands after activities such as changing nappies.
- Kiss with care: Avoid contact with saliva – try kissing your baby on the forehead instead of the lips.
- Don’t share: Avoid putting a child’s dummy or toothbrush in your mouth, and don’t share food, cutlery, or utensils with infants.
Watch the below video about CMV from Cerebral Palsy Alliance:
External Content
What does this mean?
We've sourced this content from a third party. At the time we published this, we decided it was useful and valuable information.
Because we aren't in control of the original file, we aren't able to guarantee the quality of the content will always be up to our standards.
For more information about CMV Awareness Month, visit the Cerebral Palsy Alliance website.