We officially have started the holiday season. Its a time for love and reflection. We find ourselves counting our blessings. At the forefront of our blessings are our families. While we are enjoying dinners and celebrations it is important to stay healthy at the same time.
Unfortunately, the holiday season also brings colds, and the flu. People are more active; out and about, shopping, meeting friends, attending extra church events, going to holiday movies. Germs are abundant. They spread easily. While getting a cold or the flu may not be the end of the world, it definitely puts a damper on enjoying your holiday the way you hope it will be. While everyone should follow good hygiene protocols daily, it is especially important to be extra diligent with them with all the extra socialization that you will be enjoying. Wash, Wash, WASH your hands! Especially if you are pregnant.
Cytomegalovirus infection is a virus that is in the same family as herpesvirus. CMV can be spread very easily. It can be spread through tears, saliva, blood, urine, semen, vaginal fluids and even breast milk. There may not be any symptoms or there may be fatigue and fever.
It is very common. It is estimated that 60% to 90% of adults have had CMV infection at some time; according to blood tests. It is actively carried by about 60% of adults; however, young children will spread the virus the fastest because of poorer hygiene. CMV can be passed from the mother to the fetus by way of the bloodstream. The further along in the pregnancy the greater the risk to the baby’s hearing. It can also be passed on during the actual delivery. After the baby is born they may also contract CMV. They may contract it from the mothers breast milk. They may also contract it orally from an infected mother or another person…. Newborns get lots of snuggling and smooches! However; the baby’s developed immune cells stop the infection before it can cause damage.
If a pregnant woman gets CMV, rubella, toxoplasmosis or herpes her baby may be born deaf. Often there are no immediate symptoms when the baby is born. There may be premature birth, jaundice or enlarged liver. This is rare however. During pregnancy, medicines such as Accutane, Dilantin, and those used in chemotherapy can affect the fetus hearing mechanism. Drinking alcohol while pregnant may lead to hearing loss in your newborn. Approximately two out of 1000 children born in the U.S. Are born deaf or hard of hearing. ( National Institue of Health. 2016 ). Between 20 -30% of childhood hearing loss is caused by CMV infection.
When a baby is born deaf it is called a congenital hearing loss. It may be inherited/genetic or it may be non-genetic. Factors that can contribute to a baby being born deaf that are non-genetic are: low birth weight, premature birth, maternal infections as mentioned earlier, birth injuries, complications associated with the Rh factor in the blood or Jaundice, lack of oxygen, and maternal diabetes.
Genetic contributors account for more than 50% of the babies that are born deaf. This type of hearing loss may not be total deafness, but the hearing loss will probably progress with age. Most genetic hearing loss is described as autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive. In autosomal recessive hearing loss there is a defective gene that both parents carry and pass down to their baby. Usually, it is a surprise to the parents that there was anything wrong. On the other hand, with the autosomal dominant type hearing loss, the defective gene is passed down and even though one parent is normal the defective dominant gene may win and produce the hearing loss. The parent with the dominant gene will likely have a hearing loss.
Being born deaf starts your baby out in life at a huge disadvantage. It will take them longer to learn and to communicate. Their speech will be tremendously affected, taking years to try and perfect it… if possible. Protect your baby, your sisters,brothers and friends babies and all the little ones in your world. So, tighten up your personal hygiene efforts during this holiday season, be mindful if you have a sneeze or feel sluggish. Do your part to stop the spread of germs. WASH YOUR HANDS!
By: Roseann B. Kiefer, B.A., BC-HIS