I don’t know about you, but I am forever finding myself finishing off my kids’ leftovers.
I mean; waste not, want not, right?
This, however, is not something you should be doing if you pregnant, as it happens.
According to scientists at St George’s University of London, pregnant women could catch a ‘stealth virus’ from eating their kids’ leftovers that could seriously harm their unborn child.
In fact, the little-known virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a major cause for disability, and experts are now trying to raise awareness about the condition, which may cause deafness, development delay and even cerebral palsy.
This is what Dr Anna Calvert, researcher at St George’s, had to say: “One of the frustrations that families have is that they didn’t know anything about the virus.”
The congenital virus can be transmitted through children’s saliva, often found on their uneaten food left on the plate.
If you are pregnant and have other children under the age of six, CMV Action recommends taking the following precautionary measures:
- washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after changing nappies
- not kissing children on the mouth or cheek (kiss them on the forehead instead and give them lots of hugs)
- not sharing food, drinks or cutlery with children under six.
