Childcare providers are largely unaware they have an occupational risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV), the #1 birth defects virus, which causes far more disabilities than Zika. Many childcare providers use diaper wipes to wash away bodily fluids on their hands and surfaces, but diaper wipes do not kill CMV. Mothers of children in group care are also at increased risk for contacting CMV and passing it along to their unborn babies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "People who care for or work closely with young children may be at greater risk of CMV infection than other people because CMV infection is common among young children." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that caregivers/teachers be counseled about CMV by their healthcare providers and daycare center directors. Most childcare providers, however, have never heard of CMV. "Help Childcare Providers Fight CMV" explains why the public is largely unaware of CMV, 15 reasons why childcare providers should be educated about CMV, and what they need to know to protect their unborn children. For example, the CDC states, "Women may be able to lessen their risk of getting CMV by reducing contact with saliva and urine from babies and young children. Some ways to do this are: kissing children on the cheek or head rather than the lips, and washing hands after changing diapers." Because women who care for young children are at greatest risk for CMV, they need to practice careful hygiene and discuss prevention with their healthcare provider. This book, "Help Childcare Providers Fight CMV," includes a tool kit of resources to educate childcare providers about CMV with a sample protocol and links to public health flyers. The author also included her fairytale, "Once Upon a Placement: A Table Setting Tale," to reach the whole family with the message on how to share a meal, not the germs. In the fairytale, "Grandma" speaks for Miss Cup to enforce germ prevention while highlighting Mr. Knife's fear of the dish running away with the spoon to teach table-setting.
About the Author: Lisa Saunders, a former licensed childcare provider and graduate of Cornell University, wrote "Help Childcare Providers Fight CMV" because she didn't find out about CMV until after her daughter Elizabeth was born severely disabled by congenital (present at birth) CMV. She was also the mother of a toddler and didn't know the precautions to take when handling bodily fluids such as saliva. Since the death of Elizabeth during a seizure in 2006 at the age of 16, Lisa has been raising CMV awareness through writing, speaking, helping Connecticut pass a CMV testing law in 2015, and working to ensure all childcare providers learn of their occupational risk for CMV. Lisa is the author of several books including her memoir, "Anything But a Dog! The perfect pet for a girl with congenital CMV," and the articles, "The Danger of Spreading CMV: How We Can Protect Our Children," published by ChildCare Aware of America (2017) and "Help Childcare Providers Fight CMV" published by National CMV Foundation (2018).