Symptoms and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in women. Signs and treatment of cytomegalovirus in women CMV how it manifests itself
![Symptoms and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in women. Signs and treatment of cytomegalovirus in women CMV how it manifests itself](https://i1.wp.com/herpes.guru/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/zitomegalovirus-1-e1514061415312.jpg)
Cytomegalovirus is a fairly common viral disease, which, however, is not known to everyone. Cytomegalovirus, the symptoms and characteristic signs of which are determined primarily by the state of the immune system, in its normal state may not manifest itself at all, without having any harmful effects on the body of the virus carrier. It is noteworthy that in this case the only feature of the virus carrier is the possibility of transmitting cytomegalovirus infection to another person.
general description
Cytomegalovirus is actually a relative of the common one, because it is part of the group of herpes viruses, which includes, in addition to herpes and cytomegalovirus, two diseases such as and. The presence of cytomegalovirus is noted in blood, semen, urine, vaginal mucus, and also in tears, which determines the possibility of infection through close contact with these types of biological fluids.
Considering the fact that human tears rarely enter the body, most infections occur through sexual contact and even kissing. At the same time, it is important to note that although this virus is extremely common, it is still not a particularly contagious infection - to acquire this virus it is necessary to try very intensively and for a long time to mix your own fluids and the fluids of the virus carrier. Given these features, there is no need to exaggerate the danger posed by cytomegalovirus, however, precautions should not be neglected either.
Cytomegalovirus: main types of disease
It is extremely difficult to determine the duration of the disease we are considering in latent form, because it is impossible to determine the moment that is noted in the course of the disease as the initial one. Conventionally, it is designated within a period of one to two months. As for the types of cytomegalovirus, experts identify the following possible options:
- Congenital cytomegalovirus infection , the symptoms of which manifest themselves mostly in the form of an enlarged spleen and liver. In addition, the danger of the disease lies in the possible hemorrhage that occurs against the background of infection, occurring in the internal organs. Such features of the course lead to disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system; in addition, in women, the infection can provoke a miscarriage.
- Acute cytomegalovirus infection. The main routes of infection here are predominantly sexual contact, but infection through blood transfusion cannot be ruled out. Features of the symptoms, as a rule, are similar to those characteristic of the common cold; in addition, there is also an increase in the salivary glands and the formation of a white coating on the gums and tongue.
- Generalized cytomegalovirus infection. In this case, the manifestations of the disease are expressed in the formation of inflammatory processes in the spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, and pancreas. As a rule, inflammatory processes occur due to decreased immunity, and their course occurs in combination with a bacterial infection.
General symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection
Medical practice determines three possible options that characterize the course of cytomegalovirus, which, accordingly, determines the characteristics of its symptoms. In particular, the following possible flow options are distinguished:
- Cytomegalovirus infection, which manifests itself in a normal state that characterizes the functioning of the immune system. The duration of the latent course of the disease is about two months. Symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection include fever, muscle pain and general weakness. In addition, there is also an increase in lymph nodes. As a rule, the disease in this case goes away on its own, which becomes possible thanks to antibodies produced by the body itself. Meanwhile, cytomegalovirus can remain in it for quite a long time, remaining in an inactive state throughout the period of its presence in the body.
- Cytomegalovirus infection, which occurs when the body’s immune system weakens. In this case, we are talking about a generalized form, in accordance with the characteristics of which the disease manifests itself. In particular, the symptoms include damage to the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and retina. Due to the peculiarities of the state of the immune system, cytomegalovirus infection manifests itself in patients after bone marrow or any internal organ transplantation, as well as in patients with diseases of a lymphoproliferative nature (leukemia) and patients with tumors formed by hematopoietic cells (hemoblastosis).
- Congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Its manifestations occur against the background of intrauterine infection, with the exception of miscarriages. The symptoms characteristic of the disease in this form are expressed in manifestations of prematurity, which implies a delay in development, as well as problems with the formation of the jaw, hearing and vision. There is also an increase in the spleen, kidneys, liver and some other types of internal organs.
Cytomegalovirus: symptoms in men
Cytomegalovirus infection in men is found in the body mainly in an inactive form, and the main reason causing its activation can be a decrease in protective forces, which the body encounters during stressful situations, nervous exhaustion and colds.
Dwelling on the symptoms of cytomegalovirus in men, we can highlight the following manifestations:
- temperature increase;
- chills;
- headache;
- swelling of the mucous membranes and nose;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- runny nose;
- skin rash;
- inflammatory diseases that occur in the joints.
As you can see, the listed manifestations are similar to the manifestations noted with acute respiratory infections and. Meanwhile, it is important to consider that symptoms of the disease appear only 1-2 months from the moment of infection, that is, after the end of the incubation period. The main difference that makes it possible to separate this disease from a cold is the duration of its characteristic clinical manifestations. Thus, the symptoms of cytomegalovirus persist for four to six weeks, while acute respiratory infections traditionally last no more than one to two weeks.
From the moment of infection, the patient immediately acts as an active carrier of the virus, remaining so for a period of about three years. In addition, some cases indicate that cytomegalovirus also affects the genitourinary organs, which, in turn, leads to the appearance of inflammatory diseases in the area of the genitourinary system and testicular tissue. Actual lesions due to cytomegalovirus in this area lead to discomfort when urinating.
A critical drop in immunity leads to a greater severity of cytomegalovirus, which, in turn, causes damage to internal organs, as well as disorders in the central nervous system, pleurisy, myocarditis, and encephalitis. Rare cases indicate that the presence of a number of infectious diseases in a patient can lead to the inflammatory process causing paralysis in the brain tissue, which, accordingly, leads to death.
As in other cases, the natural level of susceptibility to the infection we are considering in men in particular is extremely high, while the infectious process itself can occur with different symptoms. Meanwhile, again, provided that the immune system is functioning normally, the course of the disease is not accompanied by any pronounced manifestations. Cytomegalovirus occurs in acute form in current immunodeficiency physiological conditions, as well as in the presence of congenital or acquired types of immunodeficiency.
Cytomegalovirus and pregnancy: symptoms
During pregnancy, cytomegalovirus can cause serious problems affecting the development of the child or even lead to the death of the fetus. It should be noted that the risk of transmission of infection through the placenta is extremely high.
The most serious consequences are observed in the case of primary infection, which the fetus is exposed to when the pathogen enters the mother’s body when carrying a child for the first time. Given this feature, those women who did not have antibodies to cytomegalovirus in their blood before conception should be especially careful about their own health - in this case they are at risk.
The possibility of fetal infection is noted in the following situations:
- at conception (if there is a pathogen in the male semen);
- through the placenta or through the membranes during fetal development;
- during childbirth while the baby is passing through the birth canal.
In addition to the listed situations, infection of a newborn is also possible during feeding, which occurs due to the presence of a virus in breast milk. It is noteworthy that infection of a child during labor, as well as during the first months of his life, is not as dangerous for him as for the fetus during its intrauterine development.
When the fetus becomes infected during pregnancy, there is a possibility that the development of the pathological process can take different directions. Some cases indicate that cytomegalovirus may not cause any symptoms and, accordingly, may not affect the child’s health in any way. This, in turn, significantly increases the chances that the baby will be born healthy.
It also happens that such children have a low birth weight, which, however, does not entail any special consequences - after some time, in most cases, both the weight and level of development of the children come to the indicators of their peers. Some children, in accordance with a number of indicators, may lag behind in development. Newborns thus become, like the vast majority of people, passive carriers of cytomegalovirus infection.
In the case of intrauterine infection of the fetus with cytomegalovirus infection, its death may occur as a result of the development of the infectious process; in particular, such a prognosis becomes relevant in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks). If the fetus survives (which mainly happens if it is infected at a time later than the period determined critical for infection), then the baby is born with a congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Manifestations of its symptoms are noted immediately, or it becomes noticeable by the second to fifth years of life.
If the disease manifests itself immediately, then it is characterized by a course in combination with a number of developmental defects in the form of underdevelopment of the brain, dropsy, as well as diseases of the liver and spleen (jaundice, enlargement of the liver). In addition, a newborn may have congenital deformities; heart disease, the possibility of developing deafness, muscle weakness, cerebral palsy, etc. become relevant for him. There is a possible risk of diagnosing a child with a delay in the level of mental development.
As for the possibility of the manifestation of symptoms characteristic of cytomegalovirus at a later age, the consequences of infection during pregnancy manifest themselves in this case in the form of hearing loss, blindness, inhibited speech, psychomotor impairment and mental retardation. Due to the severity of the consequences that can be caused by infection with the virus in question, its appearance during pregnancy can act as an indication for artificial termination of pregnancy.
The final decision in this matter is made by the doctor based on the results obtained from ultrasound, virological examination, as well as taking into account the patient’s current complaints.
As we have already noted, the most severe consequences of infection of the fetus with cytomegalovirus infection are observed almost exclusively only in the case of primary infection of the mother with the pathogen during pregnancy. Only in this case there are no antibodies in the woman’s body that prevent the pathogenic effects of the virus. Thus, in its unattenuated state, cytomegalovirus penetrates the fetus through the placenta without any difficulty. It should be noted that the probability of possible infection of the fetus is 50% in the case under consideration.
Preventing primary infection is possible by limiting contact with a significant number of people as much as possible, especially with children, who, if they have the virus, release it into the environment before the age of five. The presence of antibodies in a pregnant woman’s body determines the possibility of exacerbation of the disease in the event of a decrease in immunity, as well as in the presence of a concomitant type of pathology and the use of certain medications, the effect of which suppresses the protective forces inherent in the body.
Now let's look at the symptoms. Cytomegalovirus, the symptoms of which in women during pregnancy are similar to the symptoms, is expressed, accordingly, in a slight increase in temperature and general weakness. It is also important to note that for the most part, the course of the infectious process can be characterized by a complete absence of symptoms, and the detection of the virus occurs only as a result of appropriate laboratory tests. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a blood test for the presence of intrauterine infections.
Treatment of a pregnant woman diagnosed with acute cytomegalovirus or if primary infection is relevant requires the use of antiviral medications, as well as immunomodulators.
It is noteworthy that timely treatment determines the possibility of minimizing the risk of intrauterine fetal development. If a pregnant woman acts as a virus carrier, treatment is not performed. The only thing a doctor can recommend in this case is the mother’s attentive attitude to her own immunity, and, accordingly, to maintaining it at the appropriate level. When a child is born with a congenital form of cytomegaly, it is recommended to postpone planning the next pregnancy for about two years.
Cytomegalovirus: symptoms in children
The reason that provokes the occurrence of cytomegalovirus infection in children is infection during intrauterine development through the placenta. When infected before 12 weeks, as we have already noted, there is a high risk of fetal death, and if infection occurs at a later date, the fetus survives, but certain disturbances in its development are noted.
Only about 17% of the total number of infected children experience various symptoms consistent with cytomegalovirus infection. Cytomegalovirus infection in children, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the form of jaundice, an increase in the size of internal organs (spleen, liver), and changes in the composition of the blood at the biochemical level, in severe forms of its course can provoke disorders in the central nervous system. In addition, as we noted earlier, damage to the hearing aid and eyes may develop.
In frequent cases, a profuse rash appears in children within the first hours (days) from the moment of birth if they have an infection. It affects the skin of the torso, face, legs and arms. In addition, cytomegalovirus, the symptoms of which in a child are often accompanied by hemorrhages under the skin or mucous membranes, is often accompanied by bleeding of the umbilical wound along with the detection of blood in the stool.
Brain damage leads to trembling of the hands and convulsions, and increased drowsiness is noted. Cytomegalovirus infection, the symptoms of which also, in its congenital form, manifest themselves in the form of visual impairment or complete loss, can also occur in combination with developmental delays.
If the mother has an acute form of cytomegalovirus at the time of the baby’s birth, his blood is examined to determine the presence of antibodies against the pathogen, which is done during the first weeks/months of life. Determining the presence of cytomegalovirus infection during laboratory diagnosis does not indicate the inevitability of the development of an acute form of this disease.
Meanwhile, this may at the same time be a cause for concern, because the likelihood of late manifestations characteristic of the infectious process increases significantly. Taking into account this feature, children in this situation require constant supervision by specialists, which will allow them to identify symptoms corresponding to the disease in the early stages, as well as carry out the necessary treatment.
Sometimes it happens that the first symptoms of cytomegalovirus appear in the third to fifth years of life. In addition, it has been proven that transmission of infection also occurs among preschool groups, which occurs through saliva.
In children, the symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection are similar to the manifestations of acute respiratory infections, which is expressed in the following:
- temperature increase;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- runny nose;
- chills;
- increased drowsiness.
In some cases, there is a possibility of the disease developing up to pneumonia; in addition, diseases of an endocrine nature (pituitary gland, adrenal glands) and gastrointestinal diseases also become relevant. In the latent course of the disease, there are no disorders of the immune system, while it is quite common and, as practice shows, there are no threats to the child’s health in this case.
Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus
Diagnosis of the disease is made using a number of specific studies aimed at detecting the virus in question. This includes not only laboratory methods, but also the study of clinical features:
- Cultural seeding. With its help, the possibility of detecting the virus in samples taken from saliva, semen, blood, urine, and general smear is determined. Here, not only the relevance of the presence of the virus is revealed, but also a comprehensive picture is compiled indicating its activity. In addition, through this analysis, it becomes clear how effective the therapy used against the virus is.
- Light microscopy. Using this method using a microscope, it is possible to detect giant cells of cytomegalovirus that have a specific type of intranuclear inclusions.
- ELISA. This method is based on the detection of antibodies to cytomegalovirus infection. It is not used in cases of immunodeficiency, because this condition eliminates the possibility of producing antibodies.
- DNA diagnostics. Body tissues are examined to detect the DNA of the virus in question. It is possible to obtain only information regarding the presence of the virus in the body, however, with the exception of information regarding its activity.
Considering the many different forms in which cytomegalovirus can exist in the body, making a diagnosis involves the use of a combination of different methods, because using only one research method to make an accurate diagnosis is not enough.
Treatment of cytomegalovirus
To date, there is no treatment method that can completely eliminate cytomegalovirus from the body. If the immune system is normal and there is no activity from the virus, treatment as such is not required.
If a cytomegalovirus infection is detected in the body, it is not necessary to use antiviral therapy. Moreover, the effectiveness of using immunotherapeutic drugs in combination with it has not been proven, as has the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in the presence of congenital infection.
A course of treatment is required for the following conditions:
- hepatitis;
- auditory and visual disorders;
- pneumonia;
- encephalitis;
- jaundice, subcutaneous hemorrhages and prematurity (in the case of the congenital form of cytomegalovirus).
Treatment, as a rule, involves the use of drugs in the form of suppositories (Viferon), as well as a number of antiviral drugs. The duration of administration, as well as the dosage, are determined based on the individual characteristics and condition of the patient.
To diagnose cytomegalovirus based on the presence of appropriate symptoms, you must contact a venereologist or dermatovenerologist.
If you say the literal translation from Latin, it means a large cell.
Statistics show that about 70% of the entire female population are carriers of this pathogenic microorganism. The greatest danger is primary infection, since there is a high probability of negative effects on the health of the unborn baby.
- Relatively low level of pathogenicity. After penetration into the human body, the disease may not develop for a long time. To provoke the development of cytomegaly, conditions are necessary under which the body’s protective functions are weakened (oncopathologies, difficult childbirth).
- The reproductive capacity of the virus is low.
- Cell destruction occurs due to the use of its protein fraction.
- The reproduction of CMV stops after the body’s immune forces are restored, and a repeated inflammatory process may appear after another decrease in immune defense.
- Under the influence of the environment, cytomegalovirus quickly dies. It is affected by both high and low temperatures, aseptic and disinfectants, and alcohol-containing solutions.
- The risk of infection increases significantly when in contact with a patient or carrier of CMV.
- Most often, infection occurs in childhood, when the clinical picture of the disease has severe symptoms. Infection in adults occurs asymptomatically, which significantly complicates the diagnosis.
The development of cytomegalovirus is facilitated by factors in which the body’s defenses malfunction. The following pathological conditions are included in their composition:
- AIDS disease.
- Systemic diseases of the circulatory system.
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Extensive wound surfaces, including after burns.
- The use of long courses of treatment with drugs from the pharmaceutical group of glucocorticoids or cytostatics (they suppress the functioning of the immune system).
In some cases, the penetration of this virus is facilitated by:
- polluted environment;
- lack of sufficient vitamins, micro and macroelements;
- transferring the child to artificial feeding;
- violation of the daily routine, which is accompanied by a lack of walks in the fresh air.
Routes of transmission of the virus
This type of pathological process is anthroponotic. It can only occur in humans, and it can only occur in humans.
In this regard, the following routes of infection are identified:
- Intrauterine. Infection of the baby occurs through the placenta.
- During delivery. When the fetus passes through the mother's birth canal, the virus penetrates the mucous membranes.
- In case of contact with the oral cavity infected saliva ().
- If sexual intercourse occurs without the use of barrier contraception(do not use a condom).
- With parenteral administration of donor blood or after an organ transplant operation.
Clinical picture of the virus in acute and chronic forms in women
If a woman has strong immunity, then the virus that has entered her body is in an inactive phase of its development, and therefore does not cause clinical manifestations. The impetus for the appearance of its symptoms is a weakening or malfunction of the immune system. This may occur as a result of:
- prolonged hypothermia;
- psycho-emotional breakdown after experiencing a stressful situation;
- excessive fatigue;
- long-term chronic diseases;
- pregnancy and childbirth.
After CMV enters the body, it begins to actively multiply, involving new cells in the process. However, throughout the entire period (up to 2 months), clinical symptoms may be absent.
The acute phase of the disease most often lasts about 6 weeks, it may be accompanied by symptoms reminiscent of a cold or mononucleosis.
Unfortunately, there are no characteristic signs indicating the presence of cytomegalovirus in the body. Therefore, most women at the onset of the disease do not pay due attention to the problem that has arisen.
Initially, a woman experiences the following symptoms:
- There is a rise in body temperature, which is difficult to control.
- Loss of strength, weakness, muscle pain, and aches in the joints appear.
- There is a hacking cough and symptoms of rhinitis.
- The salivary glands become enlarged and hypersalivation (increased salivation) is observed.
- There is an increase in the size of the cervical, submandibular, and parotid lymph nodes, which are accompanied by pain in the throat.
- Symptoms of anorexia appear.
- A fear of bright, sunlight develops.
With timely treatment and the correct therapy, these symptoms may disappear in 2 or 4 weeks. Otherwise, the process becomes chronic. This threatens the appearance of the following pathological conditions:
- endometritis;
- vaginitis;
- erosive lesions of the cervix.
In addition, women experience nagging pain in the lower abdomen, which is accompanied by abnormally blue vaginal discharge.
Cytomegalovirus infection poses a particular threat during the period when a woman is pregnant. There is a risk of premature birth, spontaneous miscarriage or fetal death
If the disease occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk of physical and mental pathologies in the baby increases significantly, which can be expressed as follows:
- The baby's skull may be small, which leads to disruption of the structure of the brain.
- Abnormal development of the heart septa, leading to the development of heart defects.
- Disorders in the development of the hearing system and visual organs.
- Improper development of the lungs and kidneys.
- In addition, such a child will have a physical developmental delay compared to his peers.
CMV disease in late pregnancy is not so dangerous for the unborn baby. But the risk of premature birth remains the same. A child may be born with signs of hypoxia, and will have low scores on the Apgar scale (which determines the degree of full-term birth of the child).
He may experience:
- poor weight gain due to a weak sucking reflex;
- yellowness of the skin (a sign of disruption of the biliary tract);
- hemorrhagic rashes on the skin;
- constant increase in body temperature;
- a malfunction of the digestive system, which is accompanied by vomiting (resembling coffee grounds).
This condition of the child is severe and often leads to death between the 14th and 20th day of life.
Course and complications of immunodeficiency conditions in women
The long-term chronic course of this pathology occurs against the background of immunodeficiency. In this case, the woman develops generalized damage to various organs and systems:
- Gastrointestinal tract, affected by cytomegalovirus, leads to the development of colitis or enterocolitis, in severe cases to cirrhosis of the liver. The mucous membranes of the esophagus and intestines can ulcerate, and in this case there is a risk of a perforated ulcer. Penetration of stomach or intestinal contents into the abdominal space threatens the development of diffuse peritonitis. This is a dangerous, complicated condition that requires surgical intervention.
- Genitourinary system may react with the appearance of inflammatory processes in the genital organs. Stones form in the kidneys in a relatively short period of time; this is a consequence of metabolic disorders in the body.
- From the nervous system Encephalitis may develop, the psycho-emotional state may be disturbed, with the appearance of symptoms of apathy and dementia (dementia).
- In the respiratory system, CMV can cause the development of pneumonia, which is characterized by an acute course and is difficult to respond to drug therapy.
- In case of damage to the visual organs, Cytomegalovirus affects the retina of the eye and contributes to its rapid necrosis. This initially leads to impaired visual perception, and ultimately to complete loss of vision.
Methods used to diagnose the presence of a virus in the body
To establish an accurate diagnosis, examining the patient and listening to his complaints is not enough. In addition, this pathology must be differentiated (distinguished) from the disease mononucleosis. Its symptoms resemble the course of Cytomegaly, but unlike it, there are no diseases during the process, and the inflammatory process is not accompanied by enlargement of the lymph nodes, which are localized in the occipital region.
Therefore, the doctor prescribes additional research methods for which biological material is collected. It can be:
- and urine;
- salivary gland discharge;
- contents of bronchopulmonary secretion;
- breast milk;
- genital scrapings;
- tissue particles taken during a biopsy.
Currently, several methods are used, using which we can speak with a high degree of confidence about the presence of the virus in the body:
- The most accessible and inexpensive method is using a microscope. A significant drawback is the low accuracy of this type of study (approximately 70%).
- PCR. This technique is based on the detection of DNA particles of Cytomegalovirus, which makes it possible to determine its presence in the body. This is a fairly accurate analysis, but it has one drawback, which does not allow one to determine the duration of the inflammatory process. It can also be considered an expensive type of diagnostics.
- (ELISA). This technique is based on identifying antibodies that develop in the body in relation to the pathogen. It is used to make a diagnosis at any stage of the disease and has high informative accuracy.
- Cytological examination. To carry out this analysis, a small piece of tissue is taken and placed in a nutrient medium. The development of the virus is observed for 3 weeks. If large cells are detected that have internal inclusions, a positive result is given regarding the presence of cytomegalovirus in the body.
The use of specific and non-specific therapy methods in treatment
This type of disease has its own specifics and course characteristics. Therefore, proper effective therapy can be ensured by contacting a specialist at a medical facility.
When carrying out drug treatment (specific therapy), drugs are used that can eliminate the causes of the pathological process and restore the functioning of the immune system.
To suppress the multiplication of a viral infection, antiherpetic drugs are prescribed:
- Ganciclovir;
- Foxarnet;
- Zovirax;
- Acyclovir.
These dosage forms can only be prescribed by a doctor, due to the fact that they have a toxic effect on the body. Their incorrect use can lead to the development of side effects, which will take a long time to eliminate. B vitamins;
To stimulate the immune system, you can use traditional healing methods (non-specific therapy). The use of tinctures and decoctions gives positive results only if they are used not as a panacea, but as an additional therapy.
In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor about choosing a particular herbal remedy.
For this purpose, they usually resort to prescribing the following infusions or decoctions:
- echinacea tincture; echinacea decoction;
- tincture of Schisandra chinensis;
- medicinal tea with thyme;
- complex decoction based on immortelle, St. John's wort and chamomile;
- tincture of birch buds.
Basic preventive measures to prevent the development of the virus
In medical practice, there is no specific prevention of this pathology, so you should adhere to the basic principles of hygiene that will help prevent the development of this disease:
- First of all, it is necessary to exclude casual sexual contacts. Use a barrier method of contraception (condom).
- In active disease, the infected person is the source of infection. Therefore, he should have separate personal care products and dishes.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- When planning pregnancy, it is necessary to carry out laboratory tests for the presence of a viral infection.
- The diet should include a high content of coarse fiber and. Food should be varied and contain a large number of micro and macroelements.
- To create a good immune barrier, you need to exercise and strengthen your body.
These simple measures do not fully guarantee the development of cytomegaly. But in most cases, they prevent the development of this infection.
Cytomegalovirus poses a serious threat to the body of a girl and a pregnant woman. It can cause irreparable harm to the proper functioning of organs.
To prevent complications from occurring, you must consult a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.
Patients should remember that folk recipes cannot cure this disease, since in most cases they mask the clinical picture without eliminating the main cause of the pathological process.
Cytomegalovirus is common among women, but symptoms only appear under certain circumstances, such as immunodeficiency or pregnancy. The virus is not dangerous to health, but serious consequences can occur against the background of reduced immunity.
Cytomegalovirus - what does it mean?
Infection with cytomegalovirus infection occurs through biological fluidsIf a woman has high immunity, then the cytomegalovirus is in remission and does not manifest itself in any way. It may be discovered accidentally during an examination for another disease. But as soon as the body’s defenses decrease, cytomegalovirus becomes active.
How is it transmitted?
Routes of transmission of the virus:
- during unprotected sexual intercourse;
- during a kiss through saliva;
- from mother to child during breastfeeding along with breast milk;
- during labor;
- intrauterine infection;
- contact and household method of transmission of the virus.
The latter route involves infection after contact with objects that contain the patient’s saliva. Of course, such infection is more typical for preschool children, as they put their dirty hands in their mouths.
The virus is contained in a woman’s biological fluids; it can cross the placental barrier, therefore threatening pregnancy and the health of the baby. Infection occurs only through close physical contact. It is impossible to become infected after communicating with a sick person; the virus is not transmitted by airborne droplets.
Infection occurs asymptomatically; rarely, the patient may experience elevated body temperature, chills, sore throat, and muscle pain. The symptoms resemble ARVI, so it’s hard to guess about cytomegalovirus.
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After infection, the virus exists for a long time asymptomatically. The appearance of the first signs is associated with a decrease in immune defense or other severe pathologies. The symptoms are similar to infectious mononucleosis or ARVI, recovery occurs after 2-6 weeks, depending on immunity.
The signs of the disease are as follows:
- increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C;
- headache;
- nasal discharge;
- fast fatiguability;
- muscle and joint pain;
- soreness of the salivary glands, swollen lymph nodes;
- inflammation of the tonsils, sore throat;
- difficulty swallowing food;
- specific discharge from the genital tract, which acquires a bluish-white tint.
In patients with immunodeficiency, symptoms are more severe. A cough appears, chest pain, shortness of breath, and diarrhea develops. The virus affects the liver, lungs, visual organs, and central nervous system. The most severe outcome is seizures and coma.
Symptoms largely depend on which organ is affected by cytomegalovirus infection. If the virus settles in the genitourinary system, then inflammation of the endometrium, ovaries, vulvitis, colpitis, vulvovaginitis, cervical erosion, salpingoophoritis is likely. The woman is worried about discomfort in the genital area.
How dangerous is cytomegalovirus?
The virus is active only when immunity is weakened. It poses the greatest threat to newborns and pregnant women, as it causes severe fetal pathologies. If the infection occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy, then cytomegalovirus causes developmental defects, for example, hydro- or microcephaly, abnormalities in the structure of the lungs, kidneys and other organs, intrauterine death of the baby, and miscarriage.
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The severity of the consequences for the baby depends on the period at which the infection occurred. Infection is most favorable at the time of birth, since developmental defects are excluded, but the following complications are possible:
- pneumonia;
- anemia;
- jaundice;
- enlarged liver, spleen;
- deterioration of hearing and vision;
- kidney disease;
- disruption of the digestive tract.
The first signs appear in infants 1-2 months after birth. The disease is characterized by a relapsing course. The peak mortality rate from cytomegalovirus among infants occurs at 2-4 months of life.
Due to the severe consequences, testing for cytomegalovirus should be done at the planning stage, and not during pregnancy.
Also at risk of dangerous consequences are HIV-infected people, patients with immunodeficiency, and people who have undergone organ transplantation. Cytomegalovirus can cause malignant tumors, such as mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and also cause female infertility.
For healthy people, the virus is dangerous because it damages the immune system, which has to constantly contain it. Patients with cytomegalovirus may suffer from respiratory diseases more often.
Diagnostics
Cytomegalovirus can be detected by taking tests. Such examination is mandatory for pregnant women. For healthy women, diagnosis can be prescribed only when symptoms occur.
Cytomegalovirus is detected in a smear or blood. Less popular is the virological technique, through which the virus is detected in urine, bronchial secretions or contents taken from the throat.
If cytomegalovirus is suspected, the woman will be asked to take a general blood test. If lymphocytes exceed 50% of normal, then a virus cannot be ruled out. Next, a laboratory examination is carried out. There are such methods for determining cytomegalovirus:
- cytoscopic examination of a smear from the vagina, urethra;
- PCR diagnostics is the most reliable method and involves identifying the DNA of the virus;
- enzyme immunoassay - necessary to detect antibodies to cytomegalovirus.
If the result is positive, you should immediately seek treatment.
A specialist should decipher the survey data. Interpretation of enzyme immunoassay data: normal – 0.3-0.4, pathology – more than 0.4. Digital indicators are the concentration of antibodies in the blood. If the value is above 0.4, then the result is positive and cytomegalovirus is detected. A high concentration of antibodies indicates the active phase of the virus.
In the absence of infection, there should be no cytomegalovirus in the vaginal secretion.
Which doctor is treating you?
The choice of specialist depends on what symptoms are present. More often than not, the first doctor women turn to is a gynecologist. You may also need to consult a pediatrician, urologist, or immunologist. But the specialist whose competence includes the treatment of cytomegalovirus is a virologist or infectious disease specialist. He will prescribe examination and medications.
How to treat?
There is no specific therapy for cytomegalovirus. If it is in an inactive stage, then no treatment is required. It is impossible to get rid of the virus; you need to take medications only as needed, when symptoms appear.
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The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor based on the state of health and associated complications. For example, patients with HIV need larger doses than others. Antiviral drugs and immunomodulators are suitable for therapy. The most effective and safe antiviral medications are based on interferon. They not only inhibit the activity of the virus, but also stimulate the body's defenses.
If complications arise from internal organs, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. These can be antibiotics, hepatoprotectors, choleretic, anti-inflammatory drugs.
With cytomegalovirus, the production of its own interferon is reduced.
Depending on the general state of immunity, cytomegalovirus in women can cause appropriate modifications - asymptomatic, mild mononucleosis-like syndrome or severe depressing systemic infectious diseases with damage to internal organs, such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver. It is known that cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the herpesvirus family, namely, it contains herpes DNA. It can affect almost any human organ. Today we will look at how cytomegalovirus infection manifests itself in the female body, what complications it can cause, and how CMV infection is treated. But first, we need to understand the causes and routes of transmission of cytomegalovirus.
CMV infection (cytomegalovirus infection) has a fairly low contagiousness (infectiousness), as a result of which the presence of several favorable factors is necessary for infectious infection.
Let's consider possible routes of transmission of cytomegalovirus:
- Household – general use of household and personal hygiene items. The virus penetrates the skin and mucous membranes.
- Contact – close contact in closed groups from a carrier of cytomegalovirus or already sick with CMV through various body fluids.
- Sexual - transmitted through sperm and mucus from the cervical canal through the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals. Therefore, to prevent cytomegalovirus from entering the female body through sexual contact, protection should be used.
- Airborne– transmitted through saliva, sputum, tears through the skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract or oral cavity.
- Iatrogenic - transmitted through blood transfusion from a carrier of the virus or a patient with cytomegalovirus to a healthy person.
- Transplantation– transmitted through transplantation of an infected organ or tissue from a virus-carrying donor.
- Oral – transmitted through breast milk, contaminated foods, various contaminated objects or hands through the oral mucosa.
Symptoms
With cytomegalovirus infection, symptoms in women directly depend on the form of the disease. In almost 93% of cases, women have a latent form of CMV without clearly defined signs. It is worth noting that symptoms begin to appear when the virus is activated.
The somatic signs of CMV infection are almost impossible to visually distinguish from ordinary infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. If a woman is infected with CMV for the first time, then, as a rule, the disease is completely asymptomatic. Primary infection in women is expressed by mononucleosis-like syndrome. From 20 to 60 days – the incubation period of cytomegalovirus lasts. From 2 to 6 weeks is the duration of the disease.
If the virus is reactivated, symptoms of a pronounced nature are possible. In this case, the woman:
- a fever begins, and the high temperature is very difficult to bring down;
- there is general weakness, malaise, and a feeling of constant fatigue;
- lymph nodes enlarge;
- body muscles ache;
- there is a severe pain in the throat;
- sometimes a skin rash similar to chickenpox occurs;
- loss of appetite and decrease in body weight.
However, based only on preliminary symptoms, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis. These signs are similar to those of other diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo a complete differential examination in the clinic, after which the attending physician will prescribe comprehensive drug treatment.
Complications
Cytomegalovirus infection causes particularly serious complications in patients with low immunity. Women at risk may include:
- with cancer;
- HIV – infected;
- after organ transplantation;
- AIDS patients.
CMV infection can also cause serious complications in women with good immunity. Let's look at some of the possible complications, where we will see why CMV is dangerous for women:
- pulmonary diseases - pneumonia, exudative or purulent pleurisy;
- liver diseases – hepatitis, increased liver enzymes;
- neurological complications - inflammation of the brain (encephalitis);
- intestinal diseases - inflammation of the intestines, diarrhea, blood and abdominal pain;
- consequences during pregnancy - if the fetus is infected, cytomegalovirus can be a possible cause of serious disruptions in the nervous system.
Only after the examination, all treatment can be organized at home. In any case, self-medication is not recommended.
Treatment
Modern medicine has not yet developed methods for completely destroying the virus. In this connection, treatment of cytomegalovirus and prevention sets the task of significantly reducing the impact of the pathogen on the female body.
To achieve the successful completion of this goal, drugs such as:
- Anticytomegalovirus. This group contains two drugs - Ganciclovir and Foscarnet. Do not allow the virus to multiply in the cell. They differ from acyclovir in significantly higher toxicity.
- Antiviral with immunomodulatory effects. Panavir – during treatment with the drug, activation of interferon production is observed, and an increase in nonspecific immunity is observed.
- Symptomatic. Preparations in the form of drops for the nose and eyes, traditional medicine. Drugs from the groups of analgesics, vasoconstrictors and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Immunoglobulins. Cytotect is an immunological drug that is available in the form of a solution for intravenous administration. Used to prevent CMV infection in immunosuppressed women. It is used to prevent the manifestation of the disease after CMV infection. Connect and destroy viral particles.
- Interferons. Cycloferon - available in the forms of tablets, solution, liniment 5%. Antiviral and immunomodulatory inducer of interferon synthesis. This drug is contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It should be noted that drug therapy for cytomegalovirus is not always necessary. Treatment with drugs is used in the generalized form of CMV, in severe conditions accompanied by immune deficiency, as well as in pregnant women.
To summarize, it is worth noting that some medical experts believe that if the cytomegalovirus is inactive, treating the infection is not advisable. Considering these statements, it follows that the optimal treatment option for the chronic form of cytomegalovirus is active support of the immune system at a high level. And to treat cytomegalovirus in pregnant women, you should constantly monitor your condition and take medications under the supervision of your doctor.
Cytomegalovirus is an infection that is ubiquitous among all categories of the population and is characterized by a variety of symptoms. The disease can be asymptomatic or with severe complications. Usually, when entering the human body for the first time, the infection does not make itself felt and is activated only when the immune system malfunctions.
According to statistics, every fifth baby under one year of age is a carrier of cytomegalovirus. The most dangerous route of infection is intrauterine. 5-7% of all children are infected in this way.
About 30% of cases of infection occur during breastfeeding, when the baby picks up the virus through breast milk. The probability of transmission of a pathogenic microorganism from a pregnant woman to a child is 30-50%.
An infected baby may be born with a number of serious problems:
- neurosensory disorders;
- mental defects;
- partial or complete hearing loss.
The remaining children are infected by airborne droplets in organized groups. In adolescence, 15% of people are carriers of the infection, in adults – 40%, and in old age (over 50) – 99%.
Causes
Cytomegalovirus infection develops due to the penetration of a herpes microorganism into the human body. The pathogen cell contains DNA molecules whose size does not exceed 180 nm. Viral cells gradually increase in size during development, transforming into cytomegalic cells.
The cell of the pathogen has the following properties:
- keeps for a long time at room temperature;
- killed by freezing and boiling;
- breaks down in an acidic environment.
The virus can penetrate any organ and tissue of the human body. The severity of the clinical picture depends on the form of the pathogen and the immune system of the infected person.
The virus actively spreads through biological fluids. There is a high risk of infection if:
- kisses;
- use of general hygiene products;
- unprotected sexual relations:
- blood transfusion;
- the passage of a child through the birth canal of an infected mother;
- the baby swallows amniotic fluid during surgical delivery.
It is very easy to catch an infection, so in most cases, infection occurs in childhood. An infected adult rarely shows symptoms of the disease. The introduction of cytomegalovirus into the body is often due to a decrease in the body’s defenses, which occurs due to:
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The functioning of the immune system is indirectly affected by environmental factors, lack of vitamins and microelements in the body, and insufficient nutrition. With artificial feeding and insufficient exposure to fresh air, the baby’s body becomes more susceptible to the introduction of bacteria and viruses. An infected child, as a rule, remains a carrier of this type of infection forever.
Symptoms
Signs of pathology manifest themselves differently, depending on the age and gender of the patient. Therefore, the clinical picture of the disease in men, women and children should be separately considered.
Signs of cytomegalovirus in men
Most often, the disease in representatives of the stronger sex manifests itself in an inactive form. The main causes of infection in men are weakened immunity, constant stressful situations, and colds.
Among the main symptoms of pathology in men are:
- slight rise in temperature;
- swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat;
- brittleness in joints and bones;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- damage to the genitourinary system.
These symptoms appear only a few months after infection. The main difference between this disease and ARVI is its duration. The clinical picture of CMV can last 4-6 weeks, while colds in the acute stage last no more than 2 weeks.
From the moment the microbe is introduced into the body, a person becomes its active carrier. The patient has been a threat to others for 3 years.
Serious problems in the immune system lead to a more acute manifestation of a viral infection:
- liver and kidney damage;
- central nervous system disorders;
- heart attack;
- pneumonia;
- encephalitis.
The disease causes paralysis and death. The susceptibility of the stronger sex to this type of pathology is very high, but with normal immune function, infection rarely develops.
Signs in women
As in men, the symptoms of cytomegalovirus in the fair sex are similar to respiratory diseases. A woman may not be aware of the pathology, attributing the malaise to a common cold. In 2-4 weeks, the body produces a sufficient level of antibodies to the pathogen and independently recovers from the disease. But sometimes, when the immune system is unable to eliminate the pathogenic organism, the disease becomes chronic.
As a result, the following pathological processes may occur:
- endometritis;
- vaginitis;
- oophoritis;
- cervical erosion.
In its acute form, cytomegalovirus infection is similar in symptoms to bacterial mononucleosis. It begins with a sharp rise in body temperature and chills. The main symptom of this period is a significant increase in lymph nodes from 0.5-3 cm. Initially, the pathological process spreads to the cervical nodes, and then spreads to the submandibular, axillary and inguinal nodes. Lymphadenopathy, as a sign of cytomegalovirus infection, appears first and disappears last.
In the acute stage of the disease, other signs may appear:
- general weakness;
- enlargement of internal organs;
- increase in leukocytes in the CBC.
The disease differs from infectious mononucleosis in the absence of signs of tonsillitis. Also, with cytomegalovirus pathology, inflammation of the occipital lymph nodes is rarely observed.
Pregnant women are most vulnerable to the disease. If patients already have an infection, the risk of its recurrence increases. When cytomegalovirus relapses, pregnant women often notice discomfort in the lower abdomen and bluish vaginal discharge. In this case, CMV can manifest itself in a number of complications:
- early placental abruption;
- polyhydramnios;
- large loss of blood during childbirth;
- incorrect location of the placenta;
- miscarriage.
Signs in children
For a child, intrauterine infection poses the greatest threat. In this case, he is born with many physical abnormalities:
- delayed development and growth;
- several types of vasculitis;
- skin rashes;
- sensory organ disturbances;
- enlarged internal organs.
The skin rash covers almost the entire body of the baby. Cytomegalovirus is often accompanied by hemorrhage under the mucous membranes or skin, accompanied by bloody discharge from the umbilical wound and anus.
Damage to the baby’s central nervous system leads to trembling of the limbs and increased fatigue. Sometimes the symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection in a newborn are not accompanied by characteristic signs.
Given this fact, a pregnant woman who has not had antibodies to this disease should be more attentive to her health and avoid crowded places.
Diagnostics
How the disease is detected depends on the type of infection and how it manifests. For example, in the case of a congenital form of the disease, it makes no sense to isolate the pathogen in cell culture. For a chronic type of problem, a serological test is prescribed, which detects the level of antibodies in the body.
To obtain reliable results, several laboratory tests are carried out at once. To do this, analyze:
- saliva;
- blood;
- genital discharge
- urine;
- bronchopulmonary secretion;
- breast milk;
- tissue obtained by biopsy.
The most accessible diagnostic method is blood smear microscopy. The accuracy of this technique is low - up to 70%.
Among the main methods for diagnosing the disease, the following should be noted:
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To diagnose pathology, several blood samples are taken from newborns over a period of 30 days and the IgG titer is assessed. A deviation of this indicator from the norm by more than 4 times indicates that the child is infected.
Treatment
Completely getting rid of the causative agent of the disease is impossible, as is independent choice of drugs to combat the problem. The disease progresses individually in each patient, so a set of medications should be selected by a specialist, taking into account the test results.
When treating pathology, the patient’s health condition is taken into account:
- therapy is not prescribed to persons who do not have chronic diseases or other problems;
- people with weakened immune systems require urgent treatment.
Complex therapy for infection combines several areas - destroying the cause of the disease and maintaining the body's defenses. The following drugs are used to fight the virus:
- Ganciclovir.
- Foxarnet.
- Valganciclovir.
All of these drugs are toxic and have a wide range of side effects. An incorrectly selected dose of the drug or its inappropriate use can lead to an even greater weakening of the patient’s immunity.
In some cases, a specialist prescribes therapy with immunoglobulin, a medicine prepared from human blood and containing the required amount of antibodies to the infection. This drug is administered intravenously according to a strictly prescribed schedule. In practice, the use of immunoglobulin has proven its effectiveness, but its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven.
Treatment with immunoglobulin has a number of contraindications:
- simultaneous administration of vaccines containing other strains of the virus;
- chronic pathologies;
- a person’s tendency to allergic reactions;
- kidney diseases;
- period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If during therapy changes in the body are observed - shortness of breath, problematic urination, the appearance of signs of cold pathologies, then the treatment is adjusted. To get rid of the disease, patients are often recommended to combine Ganciclovir or Foscarnet with interferons - Viferon or Reaferon.
Often, against the background of a viral disease, a person develops a secondary bacterial infection, the treatment of which requires the use of antibiotics.
For additional therapy, the patient is prescribed:
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Before starting therapy, it is important to identify the cause of the immune system disorder. According to experts, Anaferon, Amiksin or Cycloferon are most suitable for restoring the body's defenses.
Prevention
Cytomegalovirus poses the greatest danger to pregnant women and the fetus.
It is also important to prevent the patient from coming into contact with HIV-infected people, infants and people with chronic diseases.
- Conducting regular screening tests in pregnant women.
- Immunization with live attenuated vaccine or immunoglobulin. In the first case, active immunity is developed, in the second - passive immunity.
- Limiting breastfeeding. In such a situation, it is recommended to use artificial nutrition to feed the baby.