Possible CMV+ patient and pregnant...what are the risks?

[Mindylane]

Hello,

I work in a NICU and I just found out last week that I'm pregnant, currently five weeks. I haven't told anyone at work yet, because it's too soon.

Anyway, a baby is currently being tested for CMV. I haven't been the primary nurse for this baby, but I did help the baby's nurse with him briefly. The baby is in the same room as my patients.

Is this something I need to be really worried about? We didn't know they suspected CMV untIl tonight.

Thanks.

[babyNP., APRN]

You should probably call your OB or your midwife, but in general, if you are using standard precautions, you should be okay. I've asked the same question of my midwife and they said that wearing gloves and a gown and using good hand washing should do the trick. Before I had a kid, I ended up testing myself for CMV and I am actually positive. Most Americans are already positive anyway.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I recall a Nurse Practitioner telling me once that most health care workers will test positive for CMV though I can't seem to find anything to support that. The CDC actually says the opposite, that the risk is no greater than the risk to the general public, but over half of the general public is infected anyway.