Cytomegalovirus is also called human herpes virus-5 or CMV, is a large-celled virus that infects both children and adults. Many people will never realize that they have this infection, but people with weak immune systems may develop significant side effects. CMV can also be passed to babies by their mothers in utero or during the birthing process. In infants, this virus can sometimes be fatal. It is important for infants and people with existing immune problems to receive CMV testing to eliminate the dangers of this disease.

Symptoms of CMV infection include fever, sore throat, swollen glands and fatigue, which are often mistaken for symptoms of another illness. In babies who contract CMV, the virus can cause premature birth and low birth weight, small head size, problems with the spleen, liver and lungs or seizures. Some babies also suffer from loss of hearing or vision and mental disabilities. In rare cases, the condition is fatal.

Despite the danger of CMV infection during pregnancy, the Centers for Disease control do not recommend testing in pregnant mothers, since no single test can rule out an infection. Instead, parents should take care to avoid infection through bodily fluids and have their babies tested within the first two to three weeks after birth. People who have a compromised immune system can receive the test at any time. In people with these problems, a CMV infection may be treated with antiviral drugs.