Largely unknown to the public yet remarkably widespread, cytomegalovirus (CMV) ranks as the world’s leading cause of congenital infection. In Switzerland, three mothers who lived through its consequences have joined forces to raise awareness among future parents and spread the simple precautions that can protect a pregnancy.
Expectant parents grow familiar with certain terms: toxoplasmosis, folic acid, routine ultrasounds. But cytomegalovirus rarely enters the conversation, despite being the most common congenital infection anywhere in the world. Each year in Switzerland, close to 400 infants are born with the infection, a number that seems startling precisely because so few people have ever heard of the virus.
For Alexandra Loewer, Noémie Richard, and Roxane Sacchi, CMV represents something far more intimate than a statistic. Each of them faced the same painful discovery, learning that their child had contracted the infection before birth. Navigating medical tests, uncertainty, and a shortage of clear guidance, they frequently felt isolated. Rather than allowing that experience to weigh them down, they transformed it into purpose by founding CMV Switzerland, an organization dedicated to supporting families and strengthening prevention efforts.
Everyday Steps That Reduce the Risk
Part of what makes CMV so easy to overlook is how quietly it operates. In adults, an infection usually passes without any noticeable symptoms. But when a woman contracts it for the first time while pregnant, the virus can reach the baby and, in certain cases, cause long-term effects such as hearing loss or developmental difficulties. Encouragingly, a few basic habits can meaningfully lower the danger: thoroughly washing hands after contact with young children, not sharing utensils or drinking glasses, and swapping kisses on the mouth for a gentle kiss on the forehead.
For International CMV Awareness Month, the association is focused above all on ending the silence around the virus, since awareness is the foundation of protection. It offers expectant parents practical tools, a guide for coping after a diagnosis, and community spaces where affected families can connect.
Beyond raising awareness, CMV Switzerland is also pushing for earlier screening during pregnancy. The goal isn’t to frighten anyone but to keep families informed, because timely knowledge can sometimes make all the difference.
