- Main symptoms
- How to diagnose
- How the treatment is done
- Main complications
- How virus transmission happens
- How to prevent
Cytomegalovirus, also known as CMV, is a virus in the same family as herpes, which can cause symptoms such as fever, sore throat and swelling in the belly. Like herpes, this virus is also present in most people, but it only causes symptoms when the immune system is weakened, as in pregnant women, people with HIV or in patients undergoing cancer treatment, for example.
During pregnancy, this virus is detected through prenatal examinations, but it is generally harmless and does not cause any changes in the baby, especially when the woman was infected even before becoming pregnant. However, when a woman is infected during pregnancy, the virus can cause problems such as microcephaly and deafness in the baby.
Main symptoms
Normally, CMV infection does not cause symptoms, and it is common for people to discover that they are infected when they have a specific blood test for the virus.
However, some symptoms can arise when the immune system is low, such as:
- Fever above 38ºC; Sore throat; Excessive tiredness; Swelling of the belly; Swelling of the ganglia; Sore belly.
Due to the risk of causing malformations in the baby, all pregnant women should be tested for the virus, even without symptoms, in order to start treatment, if necessary, to prevent the virus from affecting the baby. Understand what happens when your baby is infected with cytomegalovirus.
How to diagnose
The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection is made through specific blood tests, which show whether there are antibodies against the virus. When the test result shows the CMV IgM reagent result, it indicates that the virus infection is still in the beginning, but if the result is CMV IgG reagent, it means that the virus has been present in the body for a longer time, and then remains throughout life, just like herpes.
In pregnancy, if the result is CMV IgM reagent, the pregnant woman should start treatment with antivirals or immunoglobulins, to avoid transmission to the baby. See how the treatment is done in these cases.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for cytomegalovirus infection can be carried out with antiviral drugs, such as Ganciclovir and Foscarnet, for example, however they have high toxicity to blood cells and kidneys, and this treatment is not recommended by the doctor, only in special situations such as in pregnancy or when the infection is very developed, for example.
Thus, it is usually recommended to use analgesic medications, such as Paracetamol, to relieve symptoms, such as headaches and fever, for example. This treatment usually lasts about 14 days and can be done at home using the medications indicated by the doctor, rest and adequate water intake.
Main complications
Complications of cytomegalovirus infection occur mainly in children who are infected with the virus during pregnancy, and include:
- Mental retardation; Delayed development; Seizures; Cerebral palsy; Defects in the formation of teeth; Paralysis of some parts of the body, especially the legs; Deafness.
In adults, complications arise when the infection develops a lot, as in people with weakened immune systems, resulting mainly in blindness and loss of leg movements, for example.
How virus transmission happens
The transmission of cytomegalovirus can occur through contact with body secretions, such as those from cough and saliva, through intimate contact with an infected person, or through the sharing of contaminated objects, such as glasses, cutlery and towels.
In addition, the virus can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or from mother to child, especially when the pregnant woman is infected during pregnancy.
How to prevent
To prevent contamination by cytomegalovirus, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly, especially before and after going to the bathroom and changing the child's diaper, for example, in addition to washing food well when cooking.
In addition, it is important to use condoms during sexual intercourse, avoid sharing personal items with other people and avoid kissing children very close to the eyes or mouth.
