Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month: A journey of advocacy and education
Angela Andrews, a dedicated trustee of CMV Action, registered nurse, midwife, and mother to a child affected by congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), is a passionate advocate at our Women’s Hospital; raising awareness about the virus. Angela's personal and professional life has been profoundly impacted by cCMV since it entered their lives in 2018.
During her fourth pregnancy, Angela's husband was diagnosed with an active CMV infection. It wasn't until they consulted an infectious diseases specialist that Angela was tested at 24 weeks pregnant, confirming her own primary infection. The timing indicated that the infection likely occurred during the 10-14 week period, triggering a journey of uncertainty.
CMV is a widespread virus that can infect individuals of all ages. Surprisingly, more than half of adults have been exposed to CMV by the time they reach 40 years old. The tricky part about CMV is that most people who contract the virus don't experience any noticeable signs or symptoms. However, when a baby is born with a CMV infection, it is referred to as congenital CMV, indicating that the virus was transmitted from the mother to the child during pregnancy.
Following the diagnosis, medical assessments and screenings became a part of their routine. Detailed ultrasounds, MRI scans, and discussions about treatment pathways and amniocentesis options ensued. Angela's son, George, was born at 37 weeks and immediately placed on a CMV pathway for testing, which confirmed the cCMV diagnosis.
Under the close monitoring of CMV specialists, George underwent screenings for ophthalmology, audiology, and liver and brain ultrasounds, as well as an MRI of his brain, all before he was just five days old. Fortunately, George's story is one of relative luck, with the brain calcifications being the only abnormality detected.
Baby George was discharged from CMV specialists before reaching he was one, but continues to receive audiology monitoring until he turns five due to the heightened risk of hearing loss associated with cCMV.
Angela expresses gratitude for the ongoing monitoring, as it provides much-needed reassurance after the initial stress of their journey.
As a midwife, Angela has become an advocate for CMV prevention. This includes providing guidance on hand hygiene, avoiding sharing utensils, and refraining from kissing toddlers on the mouth are just a few of the precautions that could have potentially prevented the virus from affecting George.
Despite having three children in a nursery setting during her pregnancy, Angela was unaware that they posed a greater risk than cat litter or soft cheeses, which she had previously discussed with women as a healthcare professional.
Angela finds encouragement in the new NICE Antenatal guidelines that now recommend discussing CMV with women, placing the responsibility on professionals to educate themselves about the virus.
As a trustee of CMV Action since winter 2019, Angela has dedicated herself to raising awareness, educating professionals and the general public, and providing support and advice to families affected by cCMV.