sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Congenital cytomegalovirus: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    These concerns need timely assessment but are not always emergencies.

    Call emergency services if a baby or child:

    • Has a seizure lasting several minutes or repeated seizures without recovering
    • Has severe difficulty breathing
    • Becomes blue, very pale, unresponsive, or unusually difficult to wake
    • Shows signs of severe dehydration, such as very few wet nappies with marked drowsiness
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange prompt medical advice if a newborn has jaundice, unexplained red or purple skin spots, feeding problems, unusual sleepiness, poor weight gain, or abnormal movements.

    If a baby does not pass the newborn hearing screen, arrange the recommended follow-up without delay.

    When congenital CMV testing is appropriate, the sample needs to be collected within the first 21 days to confirm that infection occurred before birth.

The article also says

For a child with confirmed congenital CMV, contact the care team if you notice:

Less response to voices or everyday sounds

Loss of words or developmental skills

New problems with balance, movement, feeding, or vision

Unusual staring episodes or repeated jerking movements

Fever or signs of infection while taking antiviral medicine

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Congenital cytomegalovirus. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.