Which virus is the most common viral infection in pregnancy?

Which virus is the most common viral infection in pregnancy?

• A. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• B. Varicella-zoster virus
• C. Rubella virus
• D. Herpes simplex virus

Answer: (A)

Cytomegalovirus stands out because it is extremely common and is the leading cause of congenital infection. Many women are seropositive for CMV before pregnancy, and infection can occur or reactivate during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman has a primary CMV infection, the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, with a notable risk of transmission and potential fetal effects such as sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental issues. Rubella has become rare in many populations thanks to vaccination, and varicella-zoster and herpes simplex infections, while important, are not as common in pregnancy as CMV, nor do they represent the overall frequency of viral exposure during gestation. So CMV is the virus most commonly encountered in pregnancy and the leading cause of congenital infection, making it the best answer.

Cytomegalovirus stands out because it is extremely common and is the leading cause of congenital infection. Many women are seropositive for CMV before pregnancy, and infection can occur or reactivate during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman has a primary CMV infection, the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, with a notable risk of transmission and potential fetal effects such as sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental issues. Rubella has become rare in many populations thanks to vaccination, and varicella-zoster and herpes simplex infections, while important, are not as common in pregnancy as CMV, nor do they represent the overall frequency of viral exposure during gestation. So CMV is the virus most commonly encountered in pregnancy and the leading cause of congenital infection, making it the best answer.