Only some sixty years ago, no one knew about the possible existence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the human body. However, science does not stand still, and the infection has been discovered.
Symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection may not appear at all for a long time, while the human immunity is normal.
Bad ecology, the strongest antibiotics, stress, hypovitaminosis and malnutrition weaken the body, and it can no longer fight the infection. Cells grow to mega sizes and lose their ability to divide.
Cytomegalovirus is one of the most common diseases. Many adults have antibodies to this infection, which, as a rule, do not pose a threat to others. But as soon as the body weakens, the pathogen is activated. And since it does not have a permanent localization, the symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection are not specific.
Mostly, cytomegalovirus manifests itself as a common cold: elevated (perhaps slightly) temperature, painin the throat on swallowing and coryza. The salivary glands may become inflamed, the lymph nodes, liver and spleen may increase. A skin rash may also appear.
The symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection, which distinguish it from the common cold, are the duration (no colds last about a month and a half) and the development of such serious illnesses as pneumonia, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, encephalitis, cytomegalovirus rhinitis.
In order to identify this disease, it is necessary to undergo a thorough medical examination.
Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection is as follows:
- detection of the virus in the cell;
- detection of intranuclear inclusions that significantly increase cell size;
- detection of specific antibodies produced by the body that can resist cytomegalovirus;
-
determination of DNA infection in all biological tissues.
diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection
Cytomegalovirus infection and pregnancy
Unfortunately, cytomegalovirus is a dangerous infection for the unborn baby. The virus is transmitted from mother to fetus and can cause intrauterine infection of the child, which in the future will lead to malformations, disorders of the nervous system, vision and hearing.
If a woman had this virus before conception, then the child will also become its carrier, but most likely without any he alth consequences. If a pregnant woman does not have antibodies to cytomegalovirus, then she is included in the grouprisk. During pregnancy, the body experiences significant stress, immunity decreases. The virus that enters the body begins to multiply rapidly and can lead to the development of a severe infection. During pregnancy, it enters the baby's body through the placenta, during childbirth - from the vagina, after birth - during breastfeeding.
Doctors recommend testing for cytomegalovirus even before conception. Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women consists only in increasing immunity. Antiviral therapy during this period is not used, as it is toxic and represents a potential risk to the fetus. If a woman has symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection, confirmed by laboratory tests, then pregnancy is permissible only when a stable remission is achieved.
