I am a Red Cross “Hero for Babies” because I’ve never had CMV (Cytomegalovirus), a harmless virus for adults that’s potentially fatal to infants.

When they told me, I asked the tech why it’s so common and he said, “Most people get it through sexual activity in high school.”

And there’s this awkward pause.

“Well, I hope the babies appreciate my sacrifice. I read a lot of science fiction, OK?”

@gknauss This is so awesome.
@delfuego IT WASN’T AT THE TIME.
@gknauss @delfuego "Hey nerdy high school boy really truly wishing you were in a different place right now. What if I told you that you'd be a HERO FOR BABIES? Now how do you feel?"
@gknauss My good man, you are PREACHING TO THE CHOIR.
@gknauss wow, this post led me down a rabbit hole of papers to realise that infectious mononucleosis can be caused by EBV, and that symptoms of mononucleosis can also be CMV. Thanks for the starting point
@gknauss I am in this toot and... actually I'm okay with it. Science Fiction is cool.
@gknauss Same. At the Red Cross they told me they usually have to send back most of the box of special bags for "baby blood", because there are so few donors, and the bags expire. Since then, I've donated as often as possible.
@gknauss @donmelton I’m also CMV- and uhh yeah this tracks pretty well.
@gknauss thank you for your service
@gknauss interesting! But also I'm reading that 1 in 3 children get CMV by the age of 5 through urine or spit contact from other kids. Which is pretty gross and makes sense why it's common. All the more reason to be a loner, Dottie. A rebel.