CMV spreads person-to-person via direct exposure to bodily fluids, including:
- Urine
- Saliva
- Mucus
- Cervical secretions
- Blood
- Semen
- Breast milk
Daycare centers are one of the most common exposure settings for children. For adults, unprotected sexual activity is a typical cause of infection. An infected mother can transmit CMV to her fetus via the placenta or cervical secretions during birth.