Cytomegalovirus was discovered relatively recently - in 1956. This virus is not yet sufficiently studied. In the scientific world, it is the subject of discussion; In practical medicine, it is often becoming subject to speculation. Let's try to figure out what is cytomegalovirus and what it is dangerous.
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Cytomegalovirus infection
Cytomegalovirus infection occurs through cum, cervical mucus cervical, saliva, blood and breast milk. Breast children are infected from their mothers during childbirth or through breast milk. Children are infected from each other in kindergartens (usually through saliva). Adults are often infected with sexual contacts and kisses.
It is worth noting that this virus is not very contagious. For infection, prolonged, close communication or multiple contacts are usually required.
Prevalence cytomegalovirus
This virus is widespread among people. Antibodies to cytomegalovirus detect 10-15% of adolescents. By age of 35 years old, these antibodies are already detected in 50% of people.
Symptoms of cytomegalovirus
In people with normal immunity, cytomegalovirus in the overwhelming majority occurs asymptomatic, not causing any harm.
Sometimes people with normal immunity this virus causes the so-called mononucleosus syndrome. This syndrome occurs after 20-60 days after infection and lasts 2-6 weeks. It is manifested by high temperature, chills, fatigue, malaise and headache. In most cases, mononucleosus-like syndrome ends with complete recovery.
In persons with weakened immunity (HIV-infected; chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms; immunosuppressive therapy for internal organ transplantation) Cytomegalovirus causes severe diseases (eye damage, light, digestive system and brain), which can lead to death.
When infecting the fetus during pregnancy (but not during childbirth) the development of congenital cytomegalovirus infection is possible. The latter leads to severe diseases and lesions of the central nervous system (lag in mental development, hearing loss). In 20-30% of cases, a child dies. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is observed almost exclusively in children, whose mothers are first infected with cytomegalovirus during pregnancy.
Danger of cytomegalovirus
Thus, cytomegalovirus is danger only in two cases:
- in persons with a weakened immunity;
- When infecting the fetus during pregnancy, which occurs when making a mother during pregnancy.
Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus
Detection of the virus itself (sowing, detection of antigens, PCR) has a limited meaning. The main method of diagnosing cytomegalovirus – Identification of antibodies to it.
In this case, the one-time definition of the antibody titer does not allow to distinguish the current infection from the transferred. The activation of the virus is evidenced by an increase in the titer of antibodies in 4 or more times.
Treatment of cytomegalovirus
Immediately it should be said that none of the modern methods of treatment allows you to completely get rid of this virus.
In the asymptomatic flow of infection in persons with normal immunity, there is no need for treatment. Therefore, the identification of cytomegalovirus or antibodies to it in people with normal immunity is not a testimony for treatment.
Efficiency of immunotherapy (cycloferon, polyoxide and t. D.) Not proven. The use of immunotherapy in this infection is usually due not to medical, but commercial considerations.
Treatment of cytomegalovirus in persons with weakened immunity comes down to long-term reception of antiviral drugs (ganciclovir, foskarnet, cdofovir). With other forms of the disease (mononucleosal syndrome, congenital cytomegalovirus infection) The effectiveness of antiviral drugs has not been proven.
Prevention of cytomegalovirus
Condoms reduce the risk of infection with sexual contacts.
Prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection is reduced to the abandonment of random sexual relations during pregnancy.
