North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a likely source of maternal HCMV?

1. Contact with a symptomatic adult

2. Close interaction with an asymptomatic child

3. Uso of shared utensils

4. Consumption of raw foods

The correct answer is: Close interaction with an asymptomatic child

The correct answer highlights that close interaction with an asymptomatic child is a likely source of maternal Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. This is particularly relevant because HCMV is known to be commonly transmitted in settings where children are present, especially in daycare or school environments. Asymptomatic children can shed the virus in their saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids without showing any signs of illness, making them significant carriers of the virus. In contrast, while contact with a symptomatic adult may seem like a potential source of infection, symptomatic individuals are less commonly the primary spreaders of HCMV. The virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids, but asymptomatic carriers pose a greater risk in certain environments. Shared utensils and the consumption of raw foods are also not typical pathways for HCMV transmission, as the virus primarily spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids rather than food-related vectors. Thus, close interactions with asymptomatic children represent a significant and common mode of transmission for maternal infection with HCMV.