Pregnant women should avoid getting body fluids in their eyes, nose or mouth. One of the most common exposures is through contact with saliva or urine of young children who recently had the virus.
Research shows that women who work closely with small children in settings such as child care facilities or have other children in the home while pregnant may be at greater risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the risk of getting CMV through casual contact, such as hugging, is very small.
CMV is very common among healthy children one to five years of age (one in three five year-olds are already infected), especially for those in daycare and preschool. Even though your toddler may seem healthy and does not appear to have any symptoms of being sick, it is possible for him or her to shed the virus for three to six months or longer.