How dangerous is cytomegalovirus? Cytomegalovirus - symptoms, causes and treatment Why cytomegalovirus is dangerous

is a hidden virus found in the human body. Its main feature is that most people do not even suspect that they are infected.

According to medical examinations, 15-20% of adolescents and 60% of the population over 40 years of age are carriers of type 5 herpes.

Infection is dangerous because medicine at the present stage of development is not able to prevent infection and help sick people.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus from the herpevirus family that can cause cytomegaly in humans.

If a man’s immune system is weakened (due to acute respiratory viral infections or pneumonia, the presence of cancer, etc.), then the functioning of internal organs may be disrupted:

1. Diseases of the genitourinary system, accompanied by pain during urination.
2. Pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis (in critical cases).
3. Paralysis and death (in very rare cases).

It should be aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and keeping the virus in an inactive form.

What are the risks for women?

Cytomegalovirus is dangerous for girls, as well as for men, in case of reduced immunity. Infection can cause various diseases:

• inflammation of the female genital organs;
• pleurisy, pneumonia;
• intestinal inflammation;
• neurological diseases (in extreme cases - encephalitis).

The most dangerous. Especially if the infection occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy. The virus can infect the fetus, and this will lead to the death of the embryo. At a later stage of pregnancy, the infection can have a negative impact on the formation of the baby’s internal organs. Therefore, it is important to check for infections when planning a pregnancy. If cytomegalovirus and antibodies to it are present in a girl’s body before pregnancy, a favorable outcome is most likely (the child will be a passive carrier of CMV).

For children

Many parents wonder if it is dangerous? It depends on the type of infection and the age of the baby. The most dangerous consequences are detected in the congenital form of the disease in a child under 1 year of age:

• disruption of the liver and spleen;
• bronchitis, pneumonia;
• jaundice.

If the baby acquired the virus during the first year of life, the disease will be milder. Symptoms are similar to ARVI:

• runny nose;
• heat;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• increased fatigue.

In older people, the disease is most often asymptomatic. Sometimes drowsiness and fever may occur. The disease in its acquired form rarely causes complications on the child’s health.

Features of development and impact on the body

Cytomegalovirus is a fairly large virus (150-190 nm). Thanks to this, CMV got its name, literal translation, “giant cell.” The virus enters a healthy cell and increases its size many times over. The contents of the cell are significantly reduced (stick together), and the entire space is filled with liquid. Infected cells become large, stop dividing and die. In this case, inflammation of the surrounding tissue occurs.

Depending on the route of entry of CMV into the human body, the degree of influence on internal systems depends:

• if the virus penetrates through saliva, then the nasopharynx and bronchi suffer;
• when affected through the genitals, the infection penetrates into the bladder, kidneys, and uterus;
• in the blood, CMV infects leukocytes, lymphocytes, and then the centers of the spinal cord and brain.

However, a strong immune system quickly detects the virus and begins to fight it by forming antibodies. After this, the virus goes into a dormant form and remains in the human body forever.

Why carriers are dangerous

The source of infection with cytomegalovirus can be a patient with an active stage of the disease, or a person without any special signs of infection. After infection, a healthy body begins to produce antibodies. This stage is called the latent period of the disease and lasts 4-8 weeks.

The carrier of the virus is most dangerous during the period, which begins after the latent stage and lasts from 15 to 60 days. During this period, the patient develops symptoms of the disease similar to ARVI:

• chills;
• high body temperature;
• headache;
• runny nose;
• skin rash;
• malaise and increased fatigue.

At this stage, CMV multiplies very actively and the patient is dangerous to others. You can become infected through saliva and other secretions. However, this risk of infection applies to specific groups of the population. First of all, the risk group includes people with reduced immunity:

• girls and their baby during pregnancy;
• preschool children;
• patients with oncology after courses of chemotherapy;
• people with HIV infection;
• patients after organ transplantation.

For the rest of the population, cytomegalovirus carriers do not pose a great threat.

Consequences of the virus after recovery

With timely treatment of CMV, significant consequences in human health are not observed. In the acute form of herpes, the patient is usually prescribed and. If cytomegaly is asymptomatic, then there is no need for treatment.

To summarize, we can say that cytomegalovirus is dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. Because there are no medications yet to combat the disease. But a person can always improve his health: play sports, toughen up,... A strong immune system is the best cure for infections.

Cytomegalovirus– CMV, CMV, Human herpesvirus 5, human herpesvirus type five. It is one of the viruses belonging to the Betaherpesviridae subfamily of the Herpesviridae genus. There is evidence that 60 to 90% of adults (60 to 70% are women of childbearing age) have been infected with CMV at least once in the past.

What is CMV?

Cytomegalovirus or herpesvirus type 5 is the most common viral pathogen found among humans. Penetrating into the human body, cytomegalovirus can provoke many different symptoms. Or it proceeds without causing any signs of illness at all.

Currently, there are no medications aimed at completely destroying the virus. The basis of therapy is to restore the immune system and maintain its functioning with the help of antiviral and immunostimulating agents. According to the international classification of diseases, cytomegalovirus has the code ICD-10-B-25.

The cytomegalovirus virus is one of the largest non-cellular agents. Its diameter reaches 200 nanometers. CMV has a number of biological properties that determine its pathogenic capabilities.

The main ones of these properties are the following:

• Low degree of virulence. Cytomegalovirus infection has a low infectious capacity
• Latency. Capable of being in a latent state for a long time without showing itself in any way
• Low virus productivity. The interaction of CMV with body cells is quite slow
• Pronounced destructive abilities. Extremely destructive to cells
• Fast reactivation. When the protective properties of the immune system decrease (usually during the flu, acute respiratory infections), the virus is activated quite quickly
• Quick deactivation when released into the external environment. It is also completely inactivated after exposure to an alcohol solution (20% ethyl alcohol)
• Relatively low contagiousness. The virus is incapable of causing epidemics due to its low infectiousness

• • Consequences of CMV for the fetus
• Cytomegalovirus on the skin
• Cytomegalovirus: diagnosis
• What treatment is possible?

Herpes (cytomegalovirus type 5)

Сytomegalovirus or herpes type 5 (Human herpesvirus 5) is a genus of herpesviruses that belongs to the cytomegalovirus family.

Capable of infecting along with herpes simplex type (HSV-2), as well as herpesvirus type 2 (HVH-2) and Epstein-Barr virus (type 4 virus). Human herpesvirus 5 was first discovered in 1956. Twenty years later it was registered and entered into the ICTV taxonomy committee database.

The fifth type of virus belongs to the causative agents of cytomegalovirus infection. Mainly dangerous for patients with impaired immunity. Patients taking immunosuppressive drugs to artificially suppress the immune system are more often susceptible to the virus. When herpesvirus 5 enters the human body, the activity of immune reactions increases significantly. Synthesis of protein antibodies is observed. Next, the body activates the antiviral response at the cellular level and forms a lymphocyte group.

When the activity of the immune system decreases and does not function correctly, the virus provokes the development of a clinical picture. If the immune system works properly, there are no symptoms of the disease, and the person’s health does not suffer.

Cytomegalovirus: consequences of viral infection

The complications and consequences of a viral infection will depend on a number of factors. This is the age category of the patients, the state of the patient’s immune system, how the infection occurred.

Consequences of CMV for patients with a normally functioning immune system

Why is CMV dangerous?

After entering the body, the pathogen actively and rapidly invades cells, provoking various types of inflammatory processes, as well as having a toxic effect.

Betaherpesviridae (CMV) can have a negative impact on individual systems/organs, or affect complexly, affecting the entire body as a whole. The virus can occur in the form of a sore throat or tonsillitis, affecting the upper respiratory tract.

The virus provokes inflammation of the lymph nodes in the intestine, leading to mesadenitis. The process may be accompanied by disruption of bowel movements and motor function of the organ.

In women, the virus often provokes pathological processes in the pelvic area - inflammation of the ovaries, salpingitis, erosive lesions of the cervix. The main danger is the development of infertility, since the virus can occur in a latent form without causing symptoms. In rare cases, the consequences of cytomegalovirus can be: acute polyradiculoneuritis, myocardial inflammation, and a decrease in platelets.

Consequences of CMV for the fetus

The severity of complications and the nature of the consequences for the fetus will depend on the period of infection of the mother.

If infected before the child is conceived, the risks of developing dangerous complications are minimal, since the mother’s body already has antibodies to the viral infection. The chance that a child will be infected ranges from 2 to 5%. If the patient was already infected during pregnancy, the chance of infecting the child increases and is about 40%.

In this case, the period at which the woman was infected is important:

• Infection for the first few weeks often leads to the death of the embryo. If the pregnancy continues, the child develops with numerous pathologies
• Infection from the second to the eighteenth week can lead to the development of Gospel disease (jaundice) in the fetus and damage to liver cells

Consequences of CMV for a child who has suffered an acute form of the infectious process In children, with an acute virus, the central nervous system is most at risk, as a result - mental and muscular retardation. Approximately 30% of children in this group develop encephalitis.

The following disorders are identified as complications in children:

• development of jaundice for the first days of life (occurs in 70% of newborns)
• 60% have a symptom complex in the form of hemorrhagic syndrome
• In 65-75%, ultrasound examination shows an enlargement of the liver and spleen
• development of renal dysfunction in the form of nephritis is partially possible
• approximately 25-30% of children develop inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
• Myocardial inflammation is diagnosed less frequently, affecting approximately 15% of children

Often the consequences of CMV are recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory system. Occasionally, a disorder of the visual system is observed in the form of inflammation of the uveal tract.

Cytomegalovirus on the skin

Human herpesvirus may be accompanied by rashes on the body, including the face, in the form of blisters.
Two types of herpes viruses provoke blistering inflammation: herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster (herpes type 3).

Herpes simplex is divided into two types - first and second. They are quite common diseases that are characterized by infrequent relapses.

For infections of these types, there is an inflammatory reaction with damage to the following organs: eyes, nervous system, mucous membranes of internal organs (usually the liver).

Also, an inflammatory reaction can be observed on the face, mouth, and the surface of the genitals. Varicella zoster is a representative of typical chickenpox. In children it manifests itself as chickenpox, in adults it occurs with symptoms of herpes zoster.

Cytomegalovirus: symptoms of viral infection

The clinical picture of the virus does not appear immediately; the incubation period can be several months or more.

The main role in the manifestation of pathology is played by the state of immunity. Signs of an acute virus in the body can appear during hypothermia, infection with acute respiratory infections/ARVI, and even when under stress.

If the immune system functions normally, symptoms of the virus will not appear, but at the same time, the patient will become a carrier of the infection. In people with impaired immune system function, the virus can manifest itself in a variety of disorders. This includes people living with HIV or taking immunosuppressants. Internal organs are often affected.

How does cytomegalovirus manifest itself?

The duration of the acute phase of the virus varies from several weeks to two months.

During this period, the patient complains of the following manifestations of viral pathology:

• weakness, malaise
• symptoms of intoxication
• increased core body temperature, chills
• painful sensation in the muscles
• enlarged lymph nodes
• skin rash

At this time, under the influence of a viral infection, the immune system starts the process of restructuring, preparing to fight the pathogen. If the immune system is not strong enough, the acute phase of the infection is replaced by a calm course. In this case, disorders of a vegetative-vascular nature often appear.

Typically, there are three main manifestations of infection:

• ARVI. Accompanied by the classic clinical picture: a slight increase in temperature, the appearance of a runny nose, chills, migraine, and general malaise. There is often a cough, headaches, sore throat, and low-grade fever. There may be enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes
• Organ damage. Manifests itself in the form of an inflammatory reaction in the tissues of the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. From here, signs of liver failure, pneumonia, and bronchial inflammation may be observed. Such disorders against the background of a virus have special features - antibiotic therapy is ineffective. In addition to the symptoms described above, rashes may appear on the skin.
• Damage to the urogenital tract. This manifestation is characterized by an inflammatory reaction localized to the mucous membrane of the bladder (cystitis) and urethra (urethritis); In women, inflammation occurs in the ovaries and appendages. When treated with antibiotics, a low therapeutic effect is observed

Cytomegalovirus: how it is transmitted, routes of infection

In addition, transmission of the virus occurs through organ transplantation, from a donor with an active phase of the virus. Drugs that suppress transplant rejection reduce the ability of the immune system to fight viruses. Therefore, CMV infection can be much more dangerous for such patients.

Cytomegalovirus: diagnosis

The following doctors can prescribe an appropriate study: an infectious disease specialist, a gynecologist, a family doctor, a dermatovenerologist.

To detect signs of the virus, the following diagnostic techniques are used:

• microbiological cell culture
• determination of viral load by examining biological secretions
• PCR test (is the most accurate and can detect the virus at the preclinical stage)
• ELISA analysis (aimed at detecting antibodies produced by the body when a pathogen enters it)

Cytomegalovirus: treatment of the infectious process

Therapeutic tactics are developed taking into account the clinical picture of the virus, its course and the age of the patient. If the clinical picture is severe, antiviral drugs are prescribed (orally, in the form of suppositories or injections).

Also means aimed at activating the protective functions of the immune system. If the virus occurs with moderate symptoms, it is possible to prescribe only immunostimulants to correct immunity.

With the development of concomitant diseases of a bacteriological nature, antibiotics are prescribed, usually with a broad spectrum of action. Additionally, a course of complex vitamins may be recommended. In this case, it is advisable not to practice therapy with folk remedies.

Is it possible to get rid of CMV forever?

It is almost impossible to completely cure and eliminate Human herpesvirus 5 from the body.

Tactic therapy is aimed at maintaining the virus in a latent form, when it is completely controlled by the immune system.

Drugs for cytomegalovirus

The basis of therapy is antiviral agents and immunomodulators. Allows you to suppress the activity of viral infection and eliminate the symptoms of diseases.

Acyclovir- antiviral drug. Intended for the treatment of viral infections caused by the herpes simplex virus.

For example, colds in the mouth and genital herpes. Also for the infectious process caused by chickenpox.

The product reduces the severity of the infection and prevents its spread. May be used to prevent viral infections in people with weakened immune systems. For example, during the use of chemotherapy.

Viferon for cytomegalovirus it is used as an immunomodulatory and antiviral agent. The drug is based on interferon IFN-α2b. It is most widely used in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C and some forms of oncology, where injection of the drug is used. Also available in the form of suppositories and ointments. Viferon suppositories are most often prescribed for Herpesviridae.

Isoprinosine is a synthetic complex of inosine and dimethylaminoisopropanol (in the form of p-acetamidobenzoate). It has a powerful antiviral effect, suppresses the development of the virus, and also increases the protective functions of the immune system. An analogue is Groprinosin.

Cycloferon- an antiviral drug that actively and effectively suppresses the reproduction of the virus, stimulates the immune system.

In addition, it has an antitumor and anti-inflammatory effect. It has the least number of adverse reactions - allergic rashes.

Allokin-Alpha based on the substance oligopeptide, has an antiviral and immunostimulating effect. The drug is active against the herpes virus, as well as hepatitis B and C. It is available in powder form for the preparation of a solution for subcutaneous administration.

In some cases, homeopathy may be prescribed, for example, medicine Panavir, based on an extract from the shoot of a plant called nightshade.

Cytomegalovirus during pregnancy

Intrauterine cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common perinatal infection that causes neurological complications in infants.

CMV infection is more common in the early stages of pregnancy, which significantly increases the chances of the child developing pathologies. From 85 to 90% of infections in newborns are asymptomatic. In only 10-15% the virus manifests itself with varying degrees of clinical signs.

CMV in pregnant women is quite difficult to detect. Often laboratory tests show false results due to hormonal changes. Diagnosis is especially difficult in the absence of a clinical picture.

It is standard to carry out a polymerase reaction.

It is important to identify the virus not only in the mother, but also possible infection of the fetus.

Virological search by PCR method is performed using amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood.
Clinical signs of CMV during pregnancy and after:

What treatment is possible?

If the virus is in a passive state, the doctor may recommend taking immunostimulating drugs, both synthetic and herbal. The acute phase of a viral infection will require the use of antiviral drugs.

The drugs are selected strictly on an individual basis, since many of them are approved for use from the 14th week of pregnancy. Self-medication and uncontrolled use of medications are strongly discouraged. To avoid the development of complications and accumulation of active components in breast milk.

Cytomegalovirus is a virus widespread throughout the world among adults and children, belonging to the group of herpes viruses. Since this virus was discovered relatively recently, in 1956, it is considered not yet sufficiently studied, and is still the subject of active debate in the scientific world.

Cytomegalovirus is quite common; antibodies to this virus are found in 10-15% of adolescents and young adults. In people aged 35 years or more, it is found in 50% of cases. Cytomegalovirus is found in biological tissues - semen, saliva, urine, tears. When the virus enters the body, it does not disappear, but continues to live with its host.

What it is?

Cytomegalovirus (another name is CMV infection) is an infectious disease that belongs to the herpesvirus family. This virus affects humans both in utero and in other ways. Thus, cytomegalovirus can be transmitted sexually or through airborne alimentary routes.

How is the virus transmitted?

The transmission routes for cytomegalovirus are varied, since the virus can be found in blood, saliva, milk, urine, feces, seminal fluid, and cervical secretions. Possible airborne transmission, transmission through blood transfusion, sexual intercourse, and possible transplacental intrauterine infection. An important place is occupied by infection during childbirth and when breastfeeding a sick mother.

There are often cases when the carrier of the virus does not even suspect it, especially in situations where symptoms hardly appear. Therefore, you should not consider every carrier of cytomegalovirus to be sick, since existing in the body, it may never manifest itself in its entire life.

However, hypothermia and a subsequent decrease in immunity become factors that provoke cytomegalovirus. Symptoms of the disease also appear due to stress.

Cytomegalovirus igg antibodies detected - what does this mean?

IgM are antibodies that the immune system begins to produce 4-7 weeks after a person is first infected with cytomegalovirus. Antibodies of this type are also produced every time the cytomegalovirus remaining in the human body after a previous infection begins to actively multiply again.

Accordingly, if you have been found to have a positive (increased) titer of IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus, this means:

• That you have been infected with cytomegalovirus recently (not earlier than within the last year);
• That you were infected with cytomegalovirus for a long time, but recently this infection began to multiply again in your body.

A positive titer of IgM antibodies can persist in a person's blood for at least 4-12 months after infection. Over time, IgM antibodies disappear from the blood of a person infected with cytomegalovirus.

Development of the disease

The incubation period is 20-60 days, the acute course is 2-6 weeks after the incubation period. Staying in a latent state in the body both after infection and during periods of attenuation - for an unlimited time.

Even after completing a course of treatment, the virus lives in the body for life, maintaining the risk of relapse, so doctors cannot guarantee the safety of pregnancy and full gestation even if a stable and long-term remission occurs.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus

Many people who carry cytomegalovirus do not show any symptoms. Signs of cytomegalovirus may appear as a result of disturbances in the functioning of the immune system.

Sometimes in people with normal immunity this virus causes the so-called mononucleosis-like syndrome. It occurs 20-60 days after infection and lasts 2-6 weeks. It manifests itself as high fever, chills, fatigue, malaise and headache. Subsequently, under the influence of the virus, a restructuring of the body’s immune system occurs, preparing to repel the attack. However, in case of lack of strength, the acute phase passes into a calmer form, when vascular-autonomic disorders often appear, and damage to internal organs also occurs.

In this case, three manifestations of the disease are possible:

1. Generalized form- CMV damage to internal organs (inflammation of the liver tissue, adrenal glands, kidneys, spleen, pancreas). These organ lesions can cause, which further worsens the condition and puts increased pressure on the immune system. In this case, treatment with antibiotics turns out to be less effective than with the usual course of bronchitis and/or pneumonia. At the same time, damage to the intestinal walls, blood vessels of the eyeball, brain and nervous system can be observed in the peripheral blood. Externally it appears, in addition to enlarged salivary glands, a skin rash.
2. - in this case it is weakness, general malaise, headaches, runny nose, enlargement and inflammation of the salivary glands, fatigue, slightly elevated body temperature, whitish coating on the tongue and gums; Sometimes it is possible to have inflamed tonsils.
3. Damage to the genitourinary system- manifests itself in the form of periodic and nonspecific inflammation. At the same time, as in the case of bronchitis and pneumonia, inflammations are difficult to treat with antibiotics traditional for this local disease.

Particular attention should be paid to CMV infection in the fetus (intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection), in newborns and young children. An important factor is the gestational period of infection, as well as the fact whether the pregnant woman was infected for the first time or the infection was reactivated - in the second case, the likelihood of infection of the fetus and the development of severe complications is significantly lower.

Also, if a pregnant woman is infected, fetal pathology is possible when the fetus becomes infected with CMV entering the blood from outside, which leads to miscarriage (one of the most common causes). It is also possible to activate the latent form of the virus, which infects the fetus through the mother’s blood. Infection leads either to the death of the child in the womb/after birth, or to damage to the nervous system and brain, which manifests itself in various psychological and physical diseases.

Cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy

When a woman becomes infected during pregnancy, in most cases she develops an acute form of the disease. Possible damage to the lungs, liver, and brain.

The patient notes complaints about:

• fatigue, headache, general weakness;
• enlargement and pain when touching the salivary glands;
• mucous discharge from the nose;
• whitish discharge from the genital tract;
• abdominal pain (caused by increased uterine tone).

If the fetus is infected during pregnancy (but not during childbirth), congenital cytomegalovirus infection may develop in the child. The latter leads to severe diseases and damage to the central nervous system (mental retardation, hearing loss). In 20-30% of cases the child dies. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is observed almost exclusively in children whose mothers become infected with cytomegalovirus for the first time during pregnancy.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus during pregnancy includes antiviral therapy based on intravenous injection of acyclovir; the use of drugs to correct immunity (cytotect, intravenous immunoglobulin), as well as carrying out control tests after completing a course of therapy.

Cytomegalovirus in children

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is usually diagnosed in a child in the first month and has the following possible manifestations:

• cramp, trembling of limbs;
• drowsiness;
• visual impairment;
• problems with mental development.

Manifestation is also possible in adulthood, when the child is 3-5 years old, and usually looks like an acute respiratory infection (fever, sore throat, runny nose).

Diagnostics

Cytomegalovirus is diagnosed using the following methods:

• detection of the presence of the virus in biological fluids of the body;
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction);
• cell culture seeding;
• detection of specific antibodies in blood serum.

Most often, cytomegalovirus in men is in an inactive, so-called dormant phase, without manifesting itself in any way.

The carrier may not be aware of the presence of this virus until the immune system fails. Typically, this occurs during periods of colds and heavy stress on the nervous system.

Cytomegalovirus in a man’s body can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• increase in body temperature accompanied by chills;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• severe nasal congestion and persistent runny nose;
• soreness in muscles and joints, "ache";
• manifestation of a rash or individual inflammations;
• inflammation in the joints.

Since all these symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of a common cold or flu, it is very difficult to determine the presence of this disease yourself.

But, if a common cold subsides in less than a week, with symptomatic treatment and taking anti-cold medicines and tablets, then the manifestations of cytomegalovirus may not subside for even two months. This is already a serious reason to contact medical institutions.

Course of the disease

Cytomegalovirus most often settles in the genitourinary organs without causing any particular discomfort or causing visible inconvenience. It is asymptomatic, exacerbating only against the background of stress for the body.

However, under favorable conditions, cytomegalovirus can cause serious damage to internal organs, encephalitis, pneumonia and other serious diseases. The human body's susceptibility to this type of virus is very high.

How can you become infected with cytomegalovirus?

Due to the high prevalence of this type of virus, it is not so difficult to become infected with it, especially considering the fact that CMV is transmitted by airborne droplets. That is, if there is a carrier in the same room as you, the probability of adopting this gene from him is quite high. However, most often, transmission of the disease requires closer contact, a kiss or conversation at a fairly close distance.

Cytomegalovirus can also be contracted through blood transfusions.. Although, it should be noted that today there are only a few such cases. After all, blood transfusion and collection stations now have all the necessary equipment that can monitor the presence of viruses and dangerous diseases in human blood.

The most common route of transmission of the disease is sexual contact, since all fluids in the body of an infected person contain DNA with the virus.

A significant proportion of men who have this virus in their blood received it while in the womb. This type of infection is the most favorable, so to speak, from the point of view of the presence in the blood of the fetus of a sufficient amount of antibodies to this type of virus. But only if the mother already had this disease before pregnancy, otherwise, infection of a pregnant woman with CMV, especially in the early stages, leads to miscarriages or problems with the fetus.

Diagnosis of the disease

As mentioned above, Cytomegalovirus symptoms are very similar to other diseases, which most people do not take seriously and let their treatment take its course, which in the case of cytomegalovirus can even result in death.

To diagnose a patient with cytomegalovirus, you need to do a blood test for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies(stand for immunoglobulins of class M and G), the so-called immunoenzyme analysis. Based on its results, it will be possible to diagnose not only the presence or absence of the disease, but also the duration of infection, as well as what stage the virus is at the moment.

Prognosis for the presence of the disease

If a man has a normal, strong immune system, and there are no external factors aggravating the disease (for example, working outside in cold and damp weather), then no special therapy is required. The body itself copes with the “awakened” virus and “drives it” again it into an inactive state.

If you have any concomitant diseases, such as HIV infection, oncology (previous or in remission) and conditions after irradiation, It is worth paying special attention to the treatment of outbreaks of virus activity.

In this case, cytomegalovirus can disrupt the functioning of internal organs, including the central nervous system, brain and spinal cord. Provoke pneumonia and other serious diseases leading to death.

Treatment of the disease in men

As mentioned above, if a man’s immune system is normal, then no special treatment should be carried out. You can use broad-spectrum antiviral drugs (arbidol or acyclovir) to suppress the symptoms. You can also apply an ointment topically for inflammation and rashes, which contains a virus suppressive substance.

Immunity-strengthening agents containing human ferrons, such as “interferon”, “anaferon”, “influenza”, are very helpful in the fight against an aggravated disease and at the same time increase the body’s defenses.

No medications can completely kill cytomegalovirus in the body, although recent research in this area has revealed that an extract from licorice root - glycyrrhizic acid - is quite capable of significantly weakening this type of virus.

Prevention of cytomegalovirus in men

If a man is already a carrier of cytomegalovirus, then all he needs to do is try to lead a healthy lifestyle, not be exposed to stress and severe overload of the nervous system, so that the disease does not worsen.

If immunity is at its best, then no treatment is simply required, since in a passive state the virus does not manifest itself in any way.

To avoid primary infection, you should refrain from casual relationships and always use barrier contraception, as they provide the highest guarantee of protection against all kinds of sexually transmitted infections, including various herpes viruses, which include cytomegalovirus.

Be sure to follow basic hygiene rules, since transmission of this type of virus is also possible through airborne droplets. Simply washing your hands and using disposable utensils in public places will significantly reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

To summarize, we can say that cytomegalovirus for the most part is not dangerous for men, since it is asymptomatic, gives complications only in the presence of concomitant serious diseases, and during periods of its activity causes no more inconvenience than a cold or acute respiratory infection. Therefore, men with strong immunity should not worry.

See what medical faculty teachers say about cytomegalovirus in the video below:

Cytomegalovirus was discovered by researchers in the twentieth century and was named by a combination of the Greek words "cytos" - cell, "mega" - large and the Latin "virus" - poison. By the very name of cytomegalovirus it is clear that it has a toxic effect on the cells of the body and is a poison for the cell.

The structure of CMV is a representative of the genus of human herpes virus type five. There are three known strains of cytomegalovirus. Like all types of herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus can remain in the human body for a long time, asymptomatically, but the person is contagious to his partners.

Cytomegalovirus has a tropism in the cells of the salivary glands, so doctors often begin their search for it with the salivary glands.

The virus develops in human connective tissue cells (fibroblasts). Infected cells grow to gigantic sizes as virus particles accumulate. Cytomegalovirus replication occurs in white blood cells and ends with the formation of daughter virions that rupture the affected cells, enter the bloodstream and attack healthy cells.

Epidemiology

Cytomegalovirus is widespread throughout the globe; 57.9% of people over six years of age have antibodies to cytomegalovirus antigens. In the group of elderly people, 91% of the population are strongly positive according to serological testing.

Routes of infection:

• Contact household
• Sexual
• Vertical
• Iatrogenic

There are several types of antiviral drugs with pronounced clinical effectiveness in newborns, people with immunodeficiency and pregnant women.

Ganciclovir is used in patients with secondary immunodeficiencies or those with severe systemic diseases or malignant neoplasms. There is a drug that has an antiviral effect even when taken orally (Valganciclovir). Now scientists note a decrease in its effectiveness due to the emergence of resistant types of the virus. If there is resistance to ganciclovir, cidofovir is used; it is toxic and mainly affects kidney function.

Prevention of infection development

Prevention is personal hygiene for those in family contact with a patient with cytomegalovirus infection. This is especially true for women. The use of barrier contraception (condoms) is reduced, although the possibility of infection with cytomegalovirus infection is not excluded.

Since this infection is especially dangerous for the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, a vaccine has been developed that is used only for pregnant women. The effectiveness of the vaccine does not exceed 50 percent, so researchers are now working to improve it.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common viruses in the human population. It affects more than 90% of the urban population of the entire planet, more than half of children of any age and a significant number of the rural population. At the same time, medicine still does not have the means to completely destroy it in the body, and therefore everyone infected with cytomegalovirus at any age is a carrier of it.

All these qualities of cytomegalovirus are due to the peculiarities of its structure and biology. Which, by the way, were studied in detail relatively recently...

History of the discovery of cytomegalovirus

The CMV virus itself was discovered in 1956 by researcher Margaret Gladys Smith. She also owns the first detailed description of the virus. As often happens in science, almost simultaneously the virus was discovered by a group of scientists led by Smith and Rowe in the urine of a sick child.

Long before this, in 1881, the German pathologist Ribberts discovered cells in the kidney tissue of a stillborn child that were very large in size and had a clearly visible nucleus. It was Ribberts who was the author of the name of these cells “owl eyes” and the assumption that their appearance is associated with the action of some kind of infection.

A little later, scientists Tolbert and Goodpasture called such cells cytomegals, which later gave the name to the virus itself.

Virologist Weller connected the virus discovered by Margaret Smith and cytomegaly in 1957. He studied the properties of the virus in detail and found out that it is precisely because of its action that cells turn into “owl eyes”.

Description of cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus belongs to the herpesvirus family and has a structure similar to most of them.

The CMV viral particle - the so-called virion - has a spherical shape. The outer shell of the particle consists of two layers: the inner protein layer and the outer lipoprotein layer. Inside the particle, tightly packed, is a viral DNA molecule.

Most of the lipoprotein molecules protrude above the surface of the particle and form a kind of “fur” of it. The task of these molecules is to analyze the surfaces with which the particle comes into contact during its wanderings throughout the body. As soon as the virion collides with the cell wall, which is quickly recognized by lipoproteins, the particle attaches to it, drills through the cell wall and injects its DNA inside.

Then everything happens according to the usual scenario for all viruses: DNA penetrates into the cell nucleus, and the cell itself, along with the proteins it needs, begins to produce viral proteins. From the latter, new viral particles are collected, which leave the cell and go in search of the next “victims”.

Infection with cytomegalovirus and methods of its transmission

Cytomegalovirus multiplies most actively in the cells of the mucous membranes - in the salivary glands, nasopharynx, and vagina. And through them it most often penetrates the body. In this regard, the main methods of its transmission are:

• contact path by direct touch. Very often the virus is transmitted through kissing and sexual intercourse, less often through contact between children and adults.
• Airborne.
• Transplacental from mother to fetus
• When blood transfusion or reusable use of medical instruments without sterilization.

Unlike many other herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus has a weak ability to infect the body, therefore, for its transmission, the contact between the carrier and the infected person must be quite dense and long-lasting.

Cytomegalovirus in the human body

CMV can infect almost all organs and tissues. The most favorable environment for its reproduction is epithelial cells, so most often the infection affects the membranes of organs. The severity and extent of the lesions depends on the state of the immune system and the method of infection.

In the body of adults, after contact with the mucous membranes, the virus enters the bloodstream. Here it multiplies and is stored for a long time in leukocytes. The ability of some types of leukocytes to migrate into tissues leads to the spread of the virus throughout the body. Reproduction of the virus in bone marrow cells produces new generations of infected leukocytes, which makes it almost impossible to completely remove the pathogen from the body.

With reduced immunity, the virus can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with the formation of ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines. Such patients often develop hepatitis, pneumonia, damage to the spleen, peripheral nerves, and retinal necrosis. Occasionally, inflammation of the heart muscle, joints, lining of the lungs and brain is observed.

When CMV is transmitted from mother to fetus through the placenta, the infectious process begins from the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Most often, this leads to the development of atypical pneumonia with the replacement of normal lung tissue with connective tissue (scarring). Cytomegalovirus can also invade the kidneys, brain, and spinal cord, causing fetal developmental defects.

A characteristic sign of cytomegalovirus multiplication in the body is the appearance of giant cells. Their core contains clusters of viral particles, which is why it greatly increases in size, giving the cell a resemblance to an owl’s eye:

Tissue damage during cytomegalovirus infection is caused by the reaction of the immune system - the destruction of virus-infected cells by T-lymphocytes. In severe forms of the disease, immune complexes—aggregates of antibodies with viral particles—are formed in large quantities in the blood and organs. These complexes are dissolved by the complement system, which is accompanied by damage to surrounding tissues and the development of inflammation.

The body's immune response to CMV

Immediately after a surge in the number of viral particles in the body, the immune system produces special proteins - immunoglobulins (Ig), which are able to bind and destroy virions. First of all, class M immunoglobulins appear, followed by IgG, specific to cytomegalovirus. The former do not live long and provide short-term protection for the body. The latter, after appearing in the body, remain in it for life, providing lifelong immunity.

Cytomegalovirus infection and its complications

When the body is severely affected, cytomegalovirus causes symptoms collectively called cytomegalovirus infection . It is characterized by inflammatory processes in different parts of the body, and depending on the strength of the body’s immune system, it may show almost nothing, or may cause serious complications:

• mononucleosis-like syndrome, manifested by cold symptoms, sore throat, malaise and fever
• liver inflammation
• pneumonia
• encephalitis
• retinitis.

All these diseases are characteristic almost exclusively of people with immunodeficiencies and, rarely, of newborns. In most cases, cytomegalovirus infection is asymptomatic in the body, and a person may not even know that he has become infected and has had it.

Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection

To accurately diagnose cytomegalovirus infection, one should resort to quite expensive and complex analysis methods. This is only relevant for pregnant women, immunocompromised patients and infants. The presence of CMV in their blood is determined using:

• ELISA method trying to find antibodies produced against the virus
• PCR- a polymerase chain reaction method that allows you to find virus genes in tissues and blood
• cultural method, based on determining the nature of the virus by the nature of its damage to a special nutrient medium.

Based on external symptoms and examination, it is almost impossible to unambiguously determine the nature of the virus.

Fighting cytomegalovirus

The fight against cytomegalovirus is justified only if the person exhibits sufficiently strong symptoms of the disease. There are two different approaches to combating cytomegalovirus, which should be used in combination.

The first method of control is the use of antiviral drugs. Their action is to suppress the CMV replicative cycle and prevent it from multiplying freely in the body. Special agents have been developed that selectively penetrate infected cells without damaging healthy ones. But it is worth considering that taking these medications is contraindicated for pregnant women, as they have a toxic effect on the body and can have a number of side effects. Therefore, the dose of the antiviral drug (especially Foscarnet, as the most active) must be accurately adjusted by the doctor.

The best known drugs against cytomegalovirus are Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Viferon, Cidofovir.

The second method is the use of immunoglobulins. These are special proteins obtained from blood plasma that are capable of infecting foreign cells. Immunoglobulins act selectively: a specific type of immunoglobulin infects one type of virus. As a result, immunoglobulins are more effective in the fight against cytomegalovirus than antiviral drugs, the dose of which must be much higher. In addition, immunoglobulins are preferable because they do not have a toxic effect on the body and reduce the risk of re-infection.

To combat cytomegalovirus, the drugs Megalotect and Cytotect are used.

CMV infection during pregnancy

Prevention of complications of cytomegalovirus infection

The main rule for preventing cytomegalovirus infection is to maintain a strong immune system. This guarantees that the initial outbreak of infection will be easily tolerated and that there will be no relapses in the future.

Prevention of complications of cytomegalovirus infection in people with weakened immune systems is the regular introduction of human immunoglobulins into the blood or the use of antiviral drugs, but in lower doses than those used to treat the disease. However, individual doses and schedules for using drugs should only be determined by a doctor.

A little more than half a century has passed since cytomegalovirus (CMV) was discovered in 1956, after which its photos and pictures appeared. This unusual microorganism was immediately assigned to the herpesvirus family, where the type 1 and type 2 viruses causing herpes on the lips and genital herpes had already been identified much earlier. Some of its properties are similar to those of representatives of this family. One of them is lifelong presence in the body of an infected person, mainly in a latent form. Although cytomegalovirus is still not a thoroughly studied microorganism, there is enough information about it, so it’s time to answer the main question, what does cytomegalovirus mean?

What is cytomegalovirus disease?

About 90% of the population are carriers of cytomegalovirus infection, but few of this number know what cytomegalovirus means and what it looks like in photos and pictures. CMV was discovered by Margaret Gladys Smith, who gave a detailed description of the microorganism.

The effect of CMV is ambiguous. It can, like other types of herpes, remain in the body all the time, remaining in a latent form. With reduced immunity, cytomegalovirus infection, also called cytomegaly, is active. As soon as it enters a healthy cell, it begins to increase in size. That is why cytomegaly literally means “giant cell”. Cells affected by CMV quickly change their structure and swell excessively. The main habitat of the virus is the salivary glands.

Routes of infection with the cytomegalovirus virus

When CMV infection was first identified, it was defined as “kissing disease” and was assumed to be transmitted only through saliva during kissing. After a more detailed study of the virus, other ways of its spread became known. CMV infection usually occurs at any age. Children in early childhood become infected through everyday contact from their parents or friends in kindergartens; sexual partners transmit the infection to each other during intimacy. Such routes of infection as infection of the fetus with a virus in utero or transmission of CMV to the infant through breast milk cannot be excluded. Household contacts of transmission of the virus are practically not observed; perhaps only patients who do not have very weak immunity are capable of being infected through common objects.

Symptoms and signs of the presence of cytomegalovirus

Most often, cytomegalovirus infection in children is asymptomatic. And the signs depend on how strong the immune system of the carrier of the infection is. If the virus does not show any activity, it is completely safe for those in whose body it has taken root. Its only danger is that it can cause illness to those who are nearby and have weakened immune systems.

Sometimes, after infection, symptoms of cytomegalovirus may appear. In all respects, it resembles colds:

• Feeling worse
• Weakness
• Temperature increase
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Enlarged salivary glands
• Pain when swallowing

Soon the symptoms disappear, health returns to normal, and antibodies appear in the blood of the infected patient. They will be reliable protectors against the virus that remains in the body.

If patients have immunodeficiency, CMV infection causes severe complications that will take a long time to treat. The consequences of such virus activity may include sepsis, pneumonia, and damage to various internal organs. Often, in children, against the background of active reproduction of CMV infection in the body, cytomegalovirus rhinitis occurs, in which patients first experience blurred vision, which, as inflammation of the retina develops, leads to complete blindness.

The most dangerous manifestation of cytomegalovirus, as in the photo, is brain encephalitis. If left untreated, it leads to loss of limb mobility.

Diagnostics and tests for cytomegalovirus

A healthy person has no need to look for cytomegalovirus disease in his body. This diagnosis is prescribed for pregnant women who have an immunodeficiency or are unable to bear a child, patients with oncology, atypical pneumonia, and frequent groundless increases in temperature.

In laboratory conditions, it is possible to determine both the presence of the virus itself or its DNA in the test material (sputum, saliva), and antibodies in the blood. To diagnose the virus, it is effective to conduct a smear examination and culture of the patient’s material under study. Since CMV has DNA, in severe cases of the disease a PCR test is prescribed. Blood serum is tested to detect antibodies to cytomegalovirus. The presence of IgG antibodies indicates a previous disease and the presence of immunity; the presence of IgM antibodies to CMV infection is alarming, since such a result indicates a current infection, which is dangerous for patients at risk.

Treatment of CMV infection

If cytomegalovirus is detected, as with herpes in a latent form, treatment is not required if the immune system is strong, which itself adequately copes with protecting the body from the manifestation of the virus. After the infection has been tolerated, protective immunoglobulins will be produced that will prevent you from contracting cytomegaly in the future.

The situation is completely different for those who have a weakened immune system. They will have to treat the disease with antiviral drugs, as well as strengthen the immune system. The doctor prescribes only those drugs that can block the active reproduction of the virus, preventing it from infecting new cells. Cidofovir, foscarnet, and viferon are proposed as effective medications for the treatment of diseases caused by cytomegalovirus. Panavir is considered universal for combating cytomegalvirus infection, which is prescribed by injection. These medications cannot be prescribed independently because they have a number of contraindications and require a specific dosage for a particular patient.

Immune therapy is carried out in combination with the main treatment. Cytotect is recommended as a drug that strengthens the immune system.

Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection

Preventive measures will help protect people with weakened immune systems from contracting cytomegalovirus infection, as well as herpes and other diseases. You don’t have to do anything supernatural, just follow the basic rules of taking care of your health and the virus will not attack:

• Using a condom when having contact with an unfamiliar partner, regardless of what type of sex is practiced (vaginal, oral, anal).
• Develop the habit of never using other people's things. It can be especially unpleasant and dangerous to use towels and washcloths that belong to others.
• You cannot use someone else’s dishes, bed linen, or razors for personal purposes.
• Do not have close contact even with people you know well if you know that they may be carriers of viruses.

People who have a strong immune system, eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle do not need to fear a cytomegalovirus infection. They are simply not afraid of CMV.

Not everyone is familiar with cytomegalovirus. The symptoms of this disease may not appear for a long time, it all depends on the immune system of the human body. If the immune system is normal and the virus is present in the body, then the person is a carrier and can infect others without knowing that he himself is sick.

If a decrease in immunity occurs under the influence of provoking factors: hypothermia, stress, then the disease begins to manifest itself.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the herpesvirus family. Today, 80 varieties of Herpes viruses are known. A person is susceptible to eight types, which are divided into groups:

• a-viruses. This group includes herpes simplex types 1 and 2, chickenpox and herpes zoster. This group affects and affects the nervous system;
• c-virus. herpes type VI. Affects the kidneys and salivary glands;
• Y-virus. VII and VIII types of Herpes, infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr disease).

These diseases affect lymphocytes in the blood and the human immune system suffers.

Transmission routes

Let's look at how you can become infected with cytomegalovirus and what the consequences of this disease are.
The disease can be congenital or acquired.
The congenital route of infection is when the virus is transmitted through the placenta and amniotic fluid.
Purchased for a baby - this is the birth canal and breastfeeding. When breastfeeding, the virus is transmitted from the mother through milk.

The entry points for cytomegalovirus in a healthy person are the mouth, genitals, and gastrointestinal tract.

The virus is transmitted from humans: through kissing, through other people's dishes, bed linen, sexual contact and personal hygiene items, during surgery - organ transplantation, through blood donation. Very rare, but airborne transmission is still possible.

Pathogenesis

When cytomegalovirus penetrates through the oral cavity, esophagus or genitals, the virus is localized in the salivary glands, epithelium of the lungs and kidneys.

Less commonly affected are monocytes and lymphocytes in the blood. When a virus penetrates the cell membrane, it strives for the nucleus, inserts its DNA, and causes changes in the structure of a healthy cell. The cell becomes three times larger. The edges of the cell are painted in a light shade, and a dark inclusion appears in the center of the nucleus. Therefore, under a microscope it will look like a bird's eye. Once inside the cell, the virus does not kill it, but covers it with its cellular secretion. Therefore, the human immune system cannot recognize it and the virus can exist in such a latent state for a long time. Once the immune system weakens, the number of unhealthy cells begins to increase. The consequences of cell growth are the symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms

The disease is transmitted unnoticed; sometimes, when infected, mononucleosis can develop, which stops itself. Characteristic symptoms:

• temperature rises to 37-38 degrees;
• throat red, painful;
• nasal congestion, runny nose;
• headache, weakness, malaise.

All symptoms are very similar to Acute Respiratory Viral Infection. If the immunity is normal, then the symptoms disappear within a few days and the disease becomes latent, i.e. hidden form. When immunity is impaired, cytomegalovirus is much more severe. The severe course of the disease is influenced by factors such as HIV, taking glucocorticoid drugs, radiation sickness, oncology, stress and lack of vitamins in the human diet.

The disease interferes with the functioning of the lymphatic system. Mainly affected are the cervical lymph nodes, behind the ears, sublingual, and submandibular. Sialadenitis may develop, where the salivary glands are affected.

Severe course

Let's look at how cytomegalovirus is dangerous.

If the immune system is not functioning well, a severe course of the disease leads to complications. There are different forms of complications:

1. Respiratory. After an organ transplant operation from a sick person, pneumonia develops. Statistics show death in 90% of cases.
2. Cerebral. Inflammation in the brain. The cerebral form of the course leads to dementia.
3. Gastrointestinal form. The disease manifests itself with symptoms of colitis, peptic ulcer. Often the consequences lead to ulcer perforation and peritonitis.
4. The hepatobiliary form of the disease, in which hepatitis is a complication, the liver increases in size.
5. Renal course of the disease. In this form, cytomegalovirus damages the urinary organs.
6. The hematological form, where the function of blood creation suffers, sepsis can become a complication.

With weak immunity, the virus can cause eye damage and retinitis. Necrosis occurs in the retina of the eye, which can lead to blindness. Cytomegalovirus disease in men manifests itself as symptoms of testicular inflammation. In women, the disease is characterized by vulvovaginitis, endometritis, and colpitis.

Diagnostic test

To determine the type and form of the disease, laboratory blood tests are performed, saliva, genital smear, and urine are examined.

A biopsy is performed and the tissue taken is examined. Breast milk is taken, if necessary, as well as rinsing after bronchopulmonary lavage.

The most accessible diagnosis is a microscopy study of a blood smear. This method detects altered cells, but its accuracy is up to 70%. To make a diagnosis, you need to determine antibodies to cytomegalovirus infection. There are laboratory methods with which this can be done. RIF is an immunofluorescence reaction, PCR is a polymerase chain reaction, ELISA is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The most modern and effective method for detecting the disease is PCR - it allows you to detect cytomegalovirus in the early stages, even if there are no obvious symptoms. ELISA - allows you to determine the concentration of immunoglobulin in the blood. At high levels, the significance of the active disease process can be identified. If immunoglobulin G is detected in the blood, we can talk about a latent form of carriage.

In addition to these blood tests, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound of the kidneys and liver. It is recommended to consult a neurologist, a gynecologist, and for men a urologist.

Therapeutic measures

You need to know that cytomegalovirus is resistant to many drugs that are used for herpes, therefore, in order to cure the disease, the following is prescribed:

1. The drug Ganciclovir. The dose is selected individually according to age and severity of the disease. Children under 5 years of age and with severe disease are prescribed intravenous administration of 5 to 10 mg per 1 kg per day. For a milder form, adults are prescribed the drug in tablets. Dosage – 3 g. Within 24 hours. Treatment lasts up to three months. The use of this drug is accompanied by many side effects from hematopoiesis - the number of platelets and granulocytes decreases. Allergic urticaria, kidney dysfunction, headaches are noted, the liver suffers, and convulsions appear.
2. Foscarnet is contraindicated for use in infants. Has a risk of developing multiple complications. It is practically not absorbed in the stomach, so it is prescribed by injection. Adults dose – 180 mg per kg. For children, 120 mg per kg in the first three days, then the dose is reduced to 90 mg per kg. The course is three weeks.

These drugs inhibit the process of synthesis and renewal of cytomegalovirus DNA, but have a bad effect in diseases of the digestive system, pulmonary system, and in cases of brain disease. During pregnancy, these drugs are contraindicated, but are prescribed if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the life of the fetus. Contraindicated during the lactation period.

These drugs showed good results with the simultaneous administration of recombinant interferons, such as Viferon, Reaferon. Interferons increase the effectiveness of essential drugs.

Against the background of the disease, a person often develops secondary infections, for the treatment of which antibiotics are prescribed. The doctor will prescribe additional treatment: B - vitamins, magnesium, hepatoprotectors - drugs to restore the liver, antioxidants, drugs to prevent damage to brain neurons (neuroprotectors), drugs for blood circulation. Antiviral drugs are prescribed: Amiksin, Cycloferon, Tiloron.
To prevent the disease, immunoglobulin - Cytotect - is used. It is indicated for people with weakened immune systems, two weeks before organ transplant surgery - 1 ml per kg.

CMV in pregnancy

If a disease is discovered during pregnancy, doctors recommend termination and taking measures to treat the woman.

During pregnancy, women's immunity weakens due to hormonal changes, so a woman is at risk of contracting CMV. If she is already a carrier of cytomegalovirus, and the disease is dormant, then during pregnancy the virus is activated. The consequences become dangerous, because infection of the fetus through the placenta can cause its death or disruption of the general development of systems and various pathologies. Also, CMV infection can occur already at the embryonic stage, through sperm. Often the baby becomes infected during labor when he passes through. Dangerous consequences of the disease for the fetus will occur in the 1st trimester to the 23rd week of pregnancy.

When a fetus is infected with cytomegalovirus during the prenatal period, the following pathologies may develop:

• intrauterine death of a child, premature birth;
• pathologies of the development of the heart and vascular system;
• decreased hearing and vision of the child, there may be a complete loss of these functions;
• underdevelopment of the brain;
• liver enlargement, hepatitis;

• underdevelopment of musculoskeletal function;
• CNS lesions;
• microcephaly, dropsy.

Prevention during pregnancy

For those planning a pregnancy, prevention plays an important role, so before conception you should undergo all tests for CMV and, if necessary, undergo treatment. If a woman previously gave birth to a baby with a disease, then the next birth can only be planned after two years.

Basic preventive measures

In order to avoid becoming infected with cytomegalovirus, it is necessary to follow the rules of personal hygiene. Be aware of the modes of transmission of the disease and be careful with direct contact with body fluids. Towel, dishes, toothbrush, bed linen, etc. must be individual. Frequent hand hygiene is the most effective means of protection against the virus. During sexual intercourse, protection (condoms) should be used. Taking vitamins strengthens the immune system, which will help prevent illness and will not cause complications if infected. Remember that any stress can lead to a decrease in the immune system, which means awakening a dormant virus. Therefore, it is worth learning not to be exposed to stressful situations and cope with them.

Good preventative measures would also include avoiding crowded places during outbreaks of respiratory diseases. Try not to become infected with ARVI, so as not to expose your body to the risk of CMV infection. A prolonged cold or some symptoms of acute respiratory infections: runny nose, cough or low-grade fever are indications for testing for a virus of this etiology. For any herpes, you also need to get tested, since frequent herpetic reactions on the skin can be a sign of a more dangerous viral infection. If mononucleosis is detected, this is also the reason for referral for laboratory tests of CMV.
It must be remembered that the presence of symptoms of severe disease is typical for HIV-infected patients, therefore, if they occur, it is recommended to undergo an HIV test.

Be sure to monitor your diet and boost your immunity with physical activity.

To summarize, we can say that CMV is especially dangerous in people with weakened immune systems and in children whose infection occurred in the womb. Take care of your immunity, carry out diagnostics on time, and then the terrible virus will bypass you.