Treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnancy should be done under the guidance of the obstetrician, and the use of antiviral drugs or immunoglobulin injections is usually indicated. However, there is still no consensus in the treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnancy, so it is important to follow the guidance of the obstetrician who accompanies the pregnancy.
Symptoms such as fever, pain in the muscles, inflammation and pain in the armpits are generally not present, so it is important for the pregnant woman to have a blood test, which is included in routine prenatal tests, to assess whether or not she is infected.
Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy can be transmitted to the baby through the placenta and at the time of delivery, especially if the pregnant woman was infected for the first time in pregnancy, which can cause problems such as premature delivery, deafness, fetal malformations or mental retardation. In this case, the obstetrician may indicate that the pregnant woman has an ultrasound and amniocentesis to see if the baby is infected. See how cytomegalovirus affects pregnancy and baby.
During prenatal care, it is possible to detect whether the infected baby already has a problem still inside the mother's belly, such as enlarged liver and spleen, microcephaly, changes in the nervous system or brain problems.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnancy aims to alleviate symptoms and decrease the burden of the virus in the pregnant woman's bloodstream, with the use of antiviral drugs, such as Acyclovir or Valacyclovir, or immunoglobulin injections being normally recommended. From the completion of the treatment recommended by the obstetrician, it is also possible to avoid contamination of the baby.
In addition, even if the treatment has already been established, it is necessary that the woman is accompanied by the obstetrician regularly to check her health and that of the baby.
It is important that the infection with the cytomegalovirus is identified as soon as possible, because otherwise, there may be premature birth or lead to malformations of the baby, such as deafness, mental retardation or epilepsy. Learn more about cytomegalovirus.
How to prevent infection in pregnancy
Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy can be prevented through some actions such as:
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse; Avoid oral sex; Avoid sharing objects with other children; Avoid kissing young children on the mouth or cheek; Keep your hands clean, especially after changing a baby's diapers.
Thus, it is possible to avoid infection with this virus. Normally the woman comes into contact with the virus before pregnancy, but the immune system responds in a positive way, that is, it stimulates the production of antibodies, fights infection by this virus and allows the woman to become immunized. Understand how the immune system works.
