overview
- The cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus. Once infected, your body will keep the virus forever. Most people don’t know they have CMV as it rarely causes problems in healthy people.
- If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, CMV is of concern. Women who develop active CMV infection during pregnancy can pass the virus on to their babies, who then may have symptoms. In people with weakened immune systems, especially people who have had organ, stem cell, or bone marrow transplants, CMV infection can be fatal.
- CMV is transmitted from person to person through body fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, semen, and breast milk. There is no cure, but medications are available that can help manage the symptoms. Cytomegalovirus infection Treatment in Hyderabad
symptom
Most healthy people with CMV infection may not have symptoms. Some have minor symptoms. Some of the people who are more likely to have signs and symptoms of CMV include:
- Newborns infected with CMV before birth (congenital CMV).
- Infants infected at birth or shortly afterwards (perinatal CMV). This group includes babies who are infected through breast milk.
- People with weakened immune systems, such as those who have had an organ, bone marrow, or stem cell transplant, or those infected with HIV.
The reasons
CMV is linked to the viruses that cause chickenpox, herpes simplex, and mononucleosis. CMV can go through periods of inactive and then reactivate. Most of the time, when you are healthy, CMV remains inactive.
When the virus is active in your body, you can pass it on to other people. The virus spreads through body fluids – including blood, urine, saliva, breast milk, tears, semen, and vaginal fluids. Occasional contact does not transmit CMV.
The means of transmitting the virus include:
- Touch your eyes or the inside of your nose or mouth after coming in contact with body fluids from an infected person.
- Sexual contact with an infected person.
- Breast milk from an infected mother.
- Organ, bone marrow, or stem cell transplants, or blood transfusions.
- Birth. An infected mother can transmit the virus to her baby before or during birth. The risk of passing the virus to your baby is higher if you are infected for the first time during pregnancy.
Risk factors
CMV is a common and widespread virus that can infect almost anyone.
prevention
Good hygiene is the best prevention against CMV. You can take the following precautions:
Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds, especially if you come into contact with young children or their diapers, saliva, or other oral liquids. This is especially important if the children are attending daycare.
Avoid contact with tears and saliva when kissing a child. For example, instead of kissing a child on the lips, kiss the forehead. This is especially important when you are pregnant.
Avoid sharing food or drink from the same glass as others. Sharing glasses and cooking utensils can spread CMV.
Be careful with disposable items. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face when throwing away diapers, tissues, and other items contaminated with body fluids.
Clean toys and counters. Clean any surfaces that come in contact with children’s urine or saliva.
Practice Safe Sex Wear a condom during sexual contact to prevent the spread of CMV through semen and vaginal fluids. Cytomegalovirus infection Treatment in Hyderabad