Why cytomegalovirus is dangerous: the consequences and complications of infection. Cytomegalovirus: symptoms, treatment and consequences of the disease Consequences of cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus infection - briefly

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is very common and anyone can get it. Most people carry CMV infection asymptomatically, even without being aware of it. Cytomeglovirs is dangerous for pregnant women and for patients with a weakened immune system.

After an episode of CMV infection, the virus remains in the body for life. Cytomegalovirus is spread through body fluids: blood, saliva, urine, semen, and breast milk.

If a CMV infection is contracted by a pregnant woman who has not had CMV before, the virus can cause problems in the unborn child.

CMV cannot be completely eliminated from the body, however, with the help of modern antiviral antibiotics, it is possible to alleviate the course of the infection.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection

Most people with normal immune systems get CMV infection with little or no symptoms. In some cases, after the first exposure to CMV, adults develop a disease resembling mononucleosis with the following symptoms:

• weakness and loss of strength
• night sweats
• rise in temperature
• swollen lymph nodes
• sore throat
• loss of appetite
• joint and muscle pain

Diagnosis is often difficult to make based on symptoms alone. they disappear quickly (thankfully) and are rather non-specific (i.e., they occur in other diseases, not only in CMV infection).

Symptoms in immunocompromised patients

In adult patients with a weakened immune system, CMV can be particularly severe in certain organs:

• eyes (impaired vision and blindness)
• lungs
• gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea and internal bleeding)
• liver (hepatitis)
• brain (encephalitis, behavioral disorder, seizures and coma)

Symptoms of CMV in children

If a pregnant woman gets CMV for the first time, the infection can also affect the unborn child, because. CMV passes through the placenta. Fortunately, only 1% of infected children at birth show symptoms of CMV infection, but if symptoms are present, the disease is usually severe and can lead to disability.

Often, CMV infection does not manifest itself not at birth, but several months after, most often - deafness. In a small percentage of cases, blindness occurs.

In general, most infants with congenital CMV infection do not develop any symptoms.

Symptoms of CMV infection that appear immediately after birth:

• jaundice
• rash on the skin
• low weight
• enlargement of the spleen
• liver enlargement, liver dysfunction
• pneumonia
• convulsions

Complications of congenital CMV infection:

• deafness
• vision problems (loss of central vision, retinal scarring, uveitis)
• mental disorders
• attention deficit disorder
• autism
• incoordination
• small head circumference
• convulsive syndrome

When to See a Doctor

People with immunodeficiency (cancer, AIDS, taking immunosuppressants and corticosteroids) and pregnant women with symptoms similar to mononucleosis (see list of symptoms above) should see a doctor.

During pregnancy, obstetricians and gynecologists check the immune status of the pregnant woman - whether she has immunity against cytomegalovirus or not (whether there is anti-CMV IgG in the blood).

Cytomegalovirus infection - more

Cytomegalovirus belongs to the same family of viruses as varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, and mononucleosis virus (Epstein-Barr virus). Like other viruses from this Herpesviridae family (one feels like writing “from this family”), cytomegalovirus infection goes through periods of activation and attenuation. During periods of activation, the virus is excreted with biological fluids (blood, urine, saliva, tears, semen, breast milk, etc.), i.e. patients become contagious at this time.

Infection can occur in the following ways:

When touching the eyes or the mucous membrane of the nose or mouth with a hand, if particles of infected biological fluid have got on the skin of the fingers (hence the importance of thorough hand washing!).

• during sexual contact
• a mother can pass the infection to her baby through her breast milk.
• through blood transfusion or organ transplant
• infection of the fetus with a disease of the mother

The prevalence of cytomegalovirus

CMV is widespread. By the age of 40, 50-80% of the population is already infected with CMV.

Complications of cytomegalovirus infection

Sometimes CMV infection causes serious complications even in a person with a normal immune system:

• CMV mononucleosis. The picture of the disease resembles classic mononucleosis, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
• Intestinal complications: diarrhea, abdominal pain, intestinal inflammation, blood in the stool
• Hepatic complications. Hepatitis, increased liver enzymes (ALT and AST), fever.
• neurological complications. They are relatively rare, but their spectrum is very diverse. The main neurological complication is inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
• Pulmonary complications. Pneumonitis.

Diagnosis of CMV

The symptoms of CMV infection are not very specific, so laboratory confirmation is required.

The most common test is CMV antibodies.

The presence of class M antibodies (IgM, anti-CMV IgM) indicates an acute infection.

If there are no IgM antibodies, but only IgG antibodies, then this indicates a past CMV infection and the presence of immunity to it.

During an exacerbation, cytomegalovirus can also be detected in body fluids using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a very accurate and sensitive test.

I already wrote about testing pregnant women for CMV above.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection

It is impossible to completely eliminate CMV from the body, and in the case of people with a normal immune system, it is not necessary.

Newborns with CMV and immunocompromised patients are given special antiviral antibiotics

• ganciclovir
• foscarnet
• acyclovir
• cidofovir (cidofovir)

Prevention of CMV

Prevention of CMV infection is especially important for pregnant women who do not have antiCMV immunity and for patients with a weakened immune system.

• wash hands thoroughly with soap. Wash your hands for at least 15-20 seconds, especially if you have had contact with body fluids.
• avoid contact with saliva. For example, when kissing a child, do not kiss him on the lips, but on the cheek.
• do not use common dishes, you must have separate dishes!
• remember also about the sexual transmission of the virus!
• in patients with severe immunodeficiency, prophylactic antiviral drugs may be indicated.

Cytamegalovirus is often blamed for many health problems because it belongs to the herpevirus family. They only have to get into the human body once, and they settle there until the end of their life, not their own, of a person. It is worth figuring out what it is, how to treat it and whether it is possible to do it at all.

Human cytomegalovirus infection is an infectious pathology that can affect various organs and systems. Where it originally came from has not yet been determined. A particular danger is that it is impossible to get rid of the presence of CMV just once having become infected with it, it is introduced into the structure of human DNA, penetrates into organs. At the first convenient opportunity (decrease in the body's immune defenses), it manifests itself. At the moment, there are no drugs that can make any form of CMV vulnerable.

Note! This infection used to be called "kissing" disease, as it was believed that it was transmitted only through saliva. At the moment, this theory is supplemented by a scientifically based one - transmission occurs through sexual contact, mother's milk, saliva.

It is typical for him, after entering the body, not to manifest himself at all. The incubation period can last up to 60 days. But at the first opportunity, he shows himself in all its glory. Moreover, it manifests itself in any organ and system, where it is more convenient to develop at the moment. Interestingly, according to medical statistics, 100% of the population on Earth picks up the virus during a lifetime. Just some earlier and some later.

As already mentioned, it is not treatable. The only thing that can be done is to reduce its activity. In the photo you can see the consequences of CMV and its complications.

According to the medical classification, it belongs to the group of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 types. It is in line with chicken pox, the Epstein-Barr virus, which provokes the development of mononucleosis. The name was given based on what changes it provokes in the body. It penetrates literally everywhere: into urine, saliva, blood, tears, semen, vaginal discharge, milk that is excreted during lactation.

What happens when you get infected?

As soon as the virus enters the body, regardless of the method of infection, it is embedded in the human blood. Further, it is fixed in the cells that line the salivary glands, here it is convenient for CMV to multiply and grow its colony. As with the entry of any virus into the human body, the immune system begins to fight it. Specific immunoglobulins can be detected in the blood, which are determined within 16-20 weeks after ingestion. Also, polymerase chain reaction or PCR helps in the diagnosis.

The ease of introduction into the cells of human organs and systems is explained by the fact that the virus has a stable pH balance.

Important! CMV is highly resistant to temperature. It can lose its pathogenic abilities if the temperature in the habitat rises to +56 degrees. Naturally, in the human body, without his death, this cannot be achieved.

It is interesting that a variety of organs and systems can be "gates" for the virus, namely:

1. GIT. In the small and large intestines, it is convenient to develop and multiply, and then move on to other organs.
2. Mucous membranes throughout the body.
3. Airways.
4. Sex organs.

Further, throughout life, it successfully exists in organs that are rich in lymphoid tissue. Here they are practically inaccessible to immunity antibodies and interferon. In the case of the development of immunodeficiency, there is a risk of damage to all organs, including the human brain.

Ways of infection

Science knows several options for how the pathogen is transmitted. It is worth remembering that it is very contagious, since in the body of a sick person (carrier) it is literally absolutely everywhere. Infection options:

1. Sexual. One of the most common for adults and men and women. The risk of receiving such a "reward" increases after unprotected sexual contact. But even the use of barrier protection does not give a full guarantee, since CMV is in saliva, which in the process of intimacy in most cases is exchanged.
2. Transplacental. That is, from a sick mother to a child in the womb. This is possible only if a woman has become infected with an infection while already in position. The virus easily crosses all natural barriers, including the placenta. As a result, the child receives a congenital cytomegalovirus infection already in the womb. Often, if the mother is not treated before pregnancy or during pregnancy, infection occurs during birth. That is, when it passes through the birth canal. That is why before planning pregnancy, it is imperative to take an analysis for CMV.
3. When breastfeeding. The virus enters the milk, including if it is in the mother's body, which means it gets to the baby.
4. Contact-household method. This option is the most unlikely, but possible. Infection occurs through common household items. They can be: towels, dishes, hygiene products, even bed linen.
5. Hematodiffuse. In this case, the virus enters the body of a healthy person through the infected blood of a donor. Cases of transmission through transplanted organs are known.

Important! In order to exclude the transplacental type of infection, before planning pregnancy, it is necessary to be tested for the presence of TORCH infection. Of course, it will not be possible to cure it, but it is quite possible to minimize the manifestations and risk to the child.

Risk groups or who most often picks up CMV

Risk factors are low hygiene requirements. In simple words, where they do not wash their hands and do not keep cleanliness, the risk of rapid infection with cytomegalovirus increases significantly.

As for the age categories, it is impossible to say unequivocally who “grabs” him first. Equally susceptible to pathology, both an adult and a child. But according to statistics, primary infection still occurs more often in childhood. This does not mean that mothers infect the baby in the womb or while feeding. At a certain point, a child begins to communicate in one way or another with a huge number of adults, and this is a direct path to defeat.

There are certain peaks in the frequency of infections, at a particular age, more specifically:

• Babies. They pass the virus to their mothers through breast milk. Often they are not even aware of the CMV that develops in their body.
• 5-6 years. Most often, a child brings it from the children's team - a garden or a playground in the yard. Picks it up from children or older people, from carriers of CMV. Often the carriers themselves do not even realize that they are infecting others.
• 16-30 years old. The most common cause here is sexual intercourse.

Types of CMV infection

At the moment, there are several forms of CMV. Among them:

1. Congenital - is considered the most dangerous. If the body of a pregnant woman does not react with a miscarriage or the death of the fetus inside the womb, many problems await after the birth of the child. This is jaundice and enlargement of the liver with the spleen, hemorrhage in the organs, various lesions of the central nervous system. It is extremely difficult to cure all this and in the future the child will have huge health problems.
2. Sharp form. Most often develops after infection through sexual contact, blood transfusion. The expression is very similar to a cold, so often doctors, and people themselves, treat it.
3. Generalized. It shows itself as a variety of inflammatory processes in the body. Most often affected: liver, adrenal glands, spleen, kidneys, pancreas. Often, the form in question occurs against the background of another disease that weakens the immune system.

Important! Complex forms of CMV are rare, often it just lives in the human body. Sometimes it is perceived as a chronic cold, and it is treated accordingly. It removes the symptoms, but the fight does not occur with the cause.

Symptoms: recognize and fight

Characteristic signs often do not appear immediately. Often the characteristic symptoms are confused with a mononucleosis infection. The manifestation is not specific, the clinic is expressed in:

• Malaise, general weakness.
• Increased fatigue.
• Headaches.
• Coryza with copious discharge.
• Increased secretion of saliva, an increase in the glands that are responsible for its secretion.

Note! If during the year the appearance of any characteristic symptoms is not observed, such a patient is called a latent virus carrier.

Also, the symptoms depend on which organ is affected, it is quite easy to confuse CMV with:

1. Hepatitis.
2. Pneumonia.
3. Enterocolitis.
4. encephalitis.
5. Dermatological pathologies. A rash, trophic ulcers may appear on the skin.

As for the mentioned mononucleosis syndrome, it appears like this:

• Temperature rise.
• Chills.
• Fatigue.
• Strong headache.

For those diagnosed with HIV infection and/or the consequences of contracting the virus are very serious. Depending on the number of affected systems and organs, the outcome can even be fatal.

With intrauterine infection, the child often acquires serious pathologies of the central nervous system, including developmental delay, hearing loss. Of these children, 20-30% die.

Diagnostic methods

Although at the moment the virus is far from being fully understood, the methods for diagnosing it are well developed. Deviation from the norm can be determined by conducting several types of analyzes. More specifically:

1. PCR. For diagnostics, a sample of the biomaterial of fluid or mucus from the body of the subject is needed. This technique has a drawback, since there is a possibility of a false positive result. That is, the virus was detected by decoding the results, in fact it does not exist.
2. Serological method. Blood is taken and it is checked for the presence of specific antibodies that are produced when the virus enters and progresses in the body. An avidity test is also carried out. Depending on which group was found, one can say about the stage of the disease.
3. cultural method. The subject is taking fluid from the body. The culture of the virus is sown on a nutrient medium. If rapid reproduction occurs, it can be said with accuracy that CMV exists in the human body.

Fighting techniques

An effective treatment for expelling the virus from the human body has not yet been invented. Therefore, therapy is aimed at increasing immune protection and minimizing the effect on organs and systems.

If a person does not have pathologies of the immune system, an active fight against the virus is useless. Infection with them will pass almost imperceptibly, but in the future it is impossible to pick it up again. True, now he will settle in the body for the rest of his life.

If the state of health is not the best and there is a weakening of the immune defense, then certain measures must still be taken. Moreover, the danger does not come from the very fact of infection, but from the likely severe consequences, the occurrence of which will be difficult to avoid.

Therapy consists of antiviral agents that stop the reproduction of pathogens. Drugs that may be effective include:

• Foscarnet.
• Viferon.
• Tsidovir.
• Ganciclovir.
• Panavir.

Important! Many believe that the virus in question can be fought with such popular drugs as Acyclovir and Valaciclovir. This is a delusion - although they help with herpes simplex on the lips and genitals, they cannot cope with cytomegalovirus.

In any case, therapy is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor and according to his prescription. Self-medication can only worsen the condition and even lead to death. It should be understood that there are no methods of treatment that help remove the virus from the body. Therefore, it is better to follow the prevention tips that will be described below.

Folk remedies

Folk methods and remedies are effective only to support immunity. Full treatment is impossible for them, especially with serious complications.

As a prophylaxis, such infusions and fees can be used:

• Take in equal proportions the leaves of the series, licorice root, stemacanthu, alpine kopek, chamomile, alder. Brew in boiling water and take 50 ml 4 times a day.
• Yarrow, chamomile, hawthorn fruit, wild rose, mountain ash, birch buds, licorice root. You need to take a pre-infused collection 4 times a day, 60 ml each.
• Juniper (fruits), St. John's wort, oregano, lemon balm, horsetail. Brew like regular tea and take 100 ml 3 times a day.
• Echinacea. It can be used as an aqueous or alcoholic tincture. You can also boil the root of the plant in boiling water. In relation to the tincture, take 20 drops no more than 4 times a day. Infusion from the root is taken 120 ml 4 times a day.

There are many alternative treatment options, they should be used with caution, since multicomponent fees can cause allergic reactions.

Prevention

It is easier to prevent a virus infection than to deal with complications later. Particular attention should be paid to those who have immunodeficiency and pregnant women. For the first category, CMV infection carries the risk of death. For women during the gestation period, it is dangerous for pregnancy complications - miscarriage and fetal death, serious consequences for the child.

Prevention methods:

1. Avoid close contact with others.
2. Sexual contacts only protected, with a condom.
3. Crockery, hygiene products (washcloths, toothbrushes) must be individual.
4. Don't let anyone use your makeup.
5. Careful hygiene.

Conclusion

Cytomegalovirus infection is dangerous mainly for pregnant women and people suffering from immunodeficiency. If the body's defenses are in order, then the infection will pass almost imperceptibly.

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

What is CMV?

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

Currently, there are no medications aimed at the complete destruction of the virus. The basis of therapy is the restoration of immunity and the maintenance of its functioning with the help of antiviral and immunostimulating agents. According to the international classification of diseases, cytomegalovirus has the ICD-10-B-25 code.

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

The main of these properties are:

• low degree of virulence. Cytomegalovirus infection has a low ability to infect
• Latency. Able to remain hidden for a long time without showing itself in any way
• Low productivity of the virus. The interaction of CMV with body cells is quite slow
• Expressed destructive abilities. Extremely damaging to cells
• Fast reactivation. With a decrease in the protective properties of immunity (more often during the flu, acute respiratory infections), the virus is quickly activated
• Quick deactivation upon exposure to the external environment. Also completely inactivated after exposure to an alcohol solution (20% ethyl alcohol)
• Relatively low contagiousness. The virus is unable to provoke epidemics due to its low contagiousness

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

Herpes (cytomegalovirus type 5)

Cytomegalovirus or herpes type 5 (Human herpesvirus 5)- a genus of herpesviruses, which belongs to the family of cytomegaloviruses.

It is able to infect on a par with herpes simplex type (HSV-2), as well as type 2 herpesvirus (HVV-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 database of the ICTV taxonomy committee.

The fifth type of virus refers to the causative agents of the cytomegalovirus infection. It mainly poses a danger to patients with impaired immunity. More often, patients taking immunosuppressive drugs to artificially suppress the immune system are susceptible to the virus. At the moment herpesvirus 5 enters the human body, the activity of immune responses is significantly enhanced. The synthesis of protein antibodies is observed. Further, the body activates the antiviral reaction at the cellular level and forms a lymphocyte group.

With a decrease in the activity of the immune system, its incorrect functioning, the virus provokes the development of a clinical picture. If the immune system works properly, there are no symptoms of the disease, human health does not suffer.

Cytomegalovirus: consequences of a viral infection

Complications and consequences of a viral infection will depend on a number of factors. This is the age category of 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 the cells, provoking various kinds of inflammatory processes, as well as exerting a toxic effect.

Betaherpesviridae (CMV) can have a negative impact both on individual systems / organs, and affect in a complex way, affecting the whole organism as a whole. The virus can occur in the form of tonsillitis 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 a violation of defecation and motor function of the body.

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 lies in the development of infertility, since the virus can proceed in a latent form without causing symptoms. In rare cases, the consequences of cytomegalovirus can be: acute polyradiculoneuritis, inflammation of the myocardium, a decrease in platelets.

Effects of CMV on 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.

When infected before the conception of a child, the risks of developing dangerous complications are minimal, since the mother's body already has antibodies to a viral infection. In this case, the chance that the child will be infected is from 2 to 5%. If the patient was already infected at the time of 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 time in several weeks often leads to the death of the embryo. If the pregnancy persists, then 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 had an acute form of the infectious process In children, with an ongoing acute virus, the central nervous system is most at risk, as a result - mental and muscle retardation. Approximately 30% of children in this group develop encephalitis.

As complications in children, the following disorders are distinguished:

• 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% of ultrasound examinations, there is an increase in the liver and spleen
• partially possible development of renal dysfunction in the form of nephritis
• Approximately 25-30% of children develop inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
• myocardial inflammation is less commonly diagnosed, affecting approximately 15% of children

Often the consequences of CMV are recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory system. Occasionally, there is a violation of the visual system 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 herpesviruses provoke vesicular inflammation: herpes simplex virus (herpes simplex) and varicella-zoster (type 3 herpes).

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

For infections of these types of character, 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, in the mouth, on the surface of the genital organs. Varicella zoster is a representative of the typical chickenpox. In children, it manifests itself as chickenpox, in adults it occurs with symptoms of herpes zoster.

Cytomegalovirus: symptoms of a 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 leaking virus in the body can appear during hypothermia, infection with acute respiratory infections / SARS, and even when under stress.

If the immune system is functioning normally, the 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 functions, the virus can manifest itself in a different range of disorders. This includes HIV-infected patients or patients taking immunosuppressants. Often, internal organs are affected.

How does cytomegalovirus manifest?

The duration of the acute phase of the virus varies from a few 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
• swollen lymph nodes
• rash on the skin

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 immunity is not strong enough, the acute phase of the infection is replaced by a calm course. In this case, vegetative-vascular disorders are often manifested.

As a rule, there are three main manifestations of infection:

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

Cytomegalovirus: how it is transmitted, ways of infection

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

Cytomegalovirus: diagnosis

Doctors can prescribe an appropriate study: an infectious disease specialist, a gynecologist, a family doctor, a dermatovenereologist.

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

• microbiological cell culture
• determination of viral load by examination of biological secretions
• PCR study (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

The tactics of the therapeutic effect is developed taking into account the clinic of the virus, its course and the age of the patient. With a pronounced clinical picture, antiviral drugs are prescribed (orally, in the form of suppositories or injections).

Also funds aimed at activating the protective functions of immunity. If the virus proceeds with moderate symptoms, it is possible to prescribe only immunostimulants in order to correct immunity.

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

Is it possible to get rid of CMV permanently?

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

Tactics 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. They allow to suppress the activity of a viral infection and eliminate the symptoms of diseases.

Acyclovir- an antiviral drug. It is intended for the treatment of viral infections provoked by the herpes simplex virus.

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

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

Viferon with cytomegalovirus, it is used as an immunomodulatory and antiviral agent. The drug was created on the basis of interferon IFN-α2b. It has found the widest application in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C and some forms of oncology, where injection of the drug is used. Also available as suppositories and ointments. From Herpesviridae, Viferon suppositories are more often prescribed.

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

Cycloferon- antiviral drug, 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 effect and immunostimulating. The drug is active against the herpes virus, as well as hepatitis B and C. It is produced in the form of a powder for preparing a solution for the purpose of 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 at an early stage of pregnancy, which significantly increases the chances of developing pathologies in the child. 85 to 90% of infections in newborns are asymptomatic. In only 10-15%, the virus presents with varying degrees of clinical signs.

CMV in pregnant women is not easy to detect. Often laboratory tests show false results due to hormonal changes. Diagnosis is especially difficult in the absence of a clinical picture.

The polymerase reaction is standard.

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

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

What treatment is possible?

When 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.

Means are selected strictly on an individual basis, since many of them are allowed to be taken from the 14th week of pregnancy. It is strongly not recommended to self-medicate and use medicines uncontrollably. To avoid the development of complications and the accumulation of active ingredients in breast milk.

is a latent virus that is in the human body. Its main feature is that most people are unaware of the presence of infection.

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 cytomegalovirus in humans.

If the immune system of a man is weakened (against the background of acute respiratory viral infections or pneumonia, the presence of cancer, etc.), then a violation of the internal organs is possible:

1. Diseases of the genitourinary system, accompanied by pain during urination.
2. Pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis (in a critical case).
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 is the risk for women?

Cytomegalovirus for girls, as well as for men, is dangerous in case of reduced immunity. Infection can provoke the occurrence of 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 internal organs of the baby. Therefore, it is important to check for infections when planning a pregnancy. In the presence of cytomegalovirus and antibodies to it in the body of a girl before pregnancy, a favorable outcome is most likely (the child will be a passive carrier of CMV).

For kids

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

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

If the baby acquired the virus during the first year of life, then the disease is milder. Symptoms are similar to SARS:

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

Older age the disease is most often asymptomatic. Sometimes drowsiness and fever may occur. The disease in the acquired form rarely gives a complication to the health of the child.

Features of development and effect 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 many times its size. The content of the cell is significantly reduced (sticks together), and the entire space is filled with liquid. Infected cells become large, stop dividing and die. In this case, inflammation of the surrounding tissues occurs.

Depending on the way CMV enters the human body, the degree of influence on internal systems depends:

• if the virus has penetrated through saliva, then the nasopharynx and bronchi suffer;
• with a lesion through the genital organs, the infection penetrates into the bladder, kidneys, uterus;
• in the blood, CMV damages 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, forming antibodies. After that, the virus goes into a dormant form and remains in the human body forever.

Why carriers are dangerous

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

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

• chills;
• high body temperature;
• headache;
• runny nose;
• skin rash;
• malaise and 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 danger of infection extends to specific populations. 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 transplantation of donor organs.

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

Consequences of the virus after recovery

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

Summing up, we can say that cytomegalovirus is dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. Because there are no medicines to fight the disease yet. But a person can always improve his health: go in for sports, harden,. A strong immune system is the best cure for infections.

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

The carrier may not know about the presence of this virus until the moment the immune system fails. Usually, this happens 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 not passing runny nose;
• soreness in muscles and joints, "aches";
• 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 on your own.

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

Course of the disease

Cytomegalovirus settles most often in the genitourinary organs, without causing any particular ailments and without causing visible inconvenience. It is asymptomatic, aggravated 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 illnesses. The susceptibility of the human body to this type of virus is very high.

How can you get infected with cytomegalovirus?

Due to the high prevalence of this type of virus, it is not so difficult to get 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, for the transmission of the disease, closer contact, a kiss or a conversation at a fairly close distance is still necessary.

Cytomegalovirus can also be transmitted through a blood transfusion.. Although, it should be noted that there are only a few such cases today. After all, transfusion and blood sampling stations now have all the necessary equipment that can track 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, if I may say so, 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 was already ill with 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 already mentioned above, cytomegalovirus in its symptoms is very similar to other diseases, to which most people are not taken seriously and let their treatment take its course, which in the case of cytomegalovirus can even end 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 analysis for immunoenzymes. 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 at what stage the virus is at the moment.

Prognosis in the presence of the disease

If a man has normal, strong immunity, and there are no external factors that aggravate 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 again "drives" it to an inactive state.

In the presence of any concomitant diseases, such as HIV infection, oncology (postponed or in remission) and conditions after irradiation, should pay 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 that lead to death.

Treatment of the disease in men

As mentioned above, if the immune system of a man is in order, then no special treatment should be carried out. You can use broad-spectrum antivirals (arbidol or acyclovir) to numb the symptoms. Also, an ointment for inflammation and rashes, which contains a virus suppressant, can be applied topically.

Immunity-strengthening agents containing human ferrons, such as "interferon", "anaferon", "grippferon" help well in the fight against an exacerbated disease and at the same time increase the body's defenses.

So far, no drugs can completely kill cytomegalovirus in the body, although recent studies in this area have revealed that licorice root extract - 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 subjected 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.

It is imperative to follow the basic rules of hygiene, since the transmission of this type of virus is also possible by airborne droplets. Simply washing your hands and using disposable tableware in public places will greatly reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

Summing up, we can say that cytomegalovirus for the most part is not dangerous for men, since it is asymptomatic, it gives complications only if there are concomitant serious diseases, during periods of its activity it causes no more inconvenience than a cold or acute respiratory infections. Therefore, men with strong immunity should not worry.

What teachers of medical faculties say about cytomegalovirus, see the video below: