24/06/2014

Pregnant Women Warned About 'Silent Killer' Virus

A new campaign has been launched to warn pregnant women over the Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus which affects unborn babies and causes more birth defects and child deaths than Down's syndrome.

The virus, dubbed as the "silent killer" because mothers are unaware of having it, can be extremely dangerous to unborn babies causing miscarriages, physical disabilities, deafness or blindness.

It is normally spread through bodily fluids and effects 1,000 babies a year.

Doctors are advising pregnant women to protect themselves and wash their hands thoroughl.

Charity CMV Action is trying to raise awareness and has launched a campaign called 'Wash away CMV'.

(CVS/CD)

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