Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Herpes virus family. CMV is a common viral infection with approximately 60% of European people being infected by adulthood. After infection, the virus remains dormant within the body but can be reactivated during periods when the body’s immune system is weakened.

CMV infection is transmitted from person to person via contact with infected body fluids (urine, saliva, blood, faeces, semen, breast milk, tears). CMV is also spread through sexual contact, kissing, blood transfusion, organ transplants and from an infected mother to baby during pregnancy or via breast feeding. CMV is a notifiable disease.