Cytomegalovirus - cmv cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is widespread among humans, with up to 80 per cent of adults having antibodies to CMY in their blood, though many of these have no history of symptoms. After infection the virus may remain in the blood for months and be excreted in saliva, urine faces. vaginal fluid, semen and milk.

Cytomegalovirus is not highly contagious. It is contracted from close personal contact with people who excrete the virus in their body fluids (e.g., saliva, urine, blood, breast milk, semen, and even transplanted organ tissue). It also can be shed from the throat and uterine cervix. The infection is spread through close contact (such as kissing, sex, or sharing the same fork or spoon), blood transfusion or organ transplant, or it may cross the placenta to infect a foetus.

Symptoms of Cytomegalovirus

In many healthy adults the infection causes no symptoms. Others develop fever and flulike symptoms that may last several weeks and progress to hepatitis and a rash. People whose immune system is suppressed (as in aids, immunosuppressant drug treatment after organ transplant or severe chronic illness) can become extremely ill from the effects of CMY on the lungs, digestive system, nervous system, eyes and kidneys. Infection of the foetus may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness of the newborn. Patients with a condition that suppresses the immune system should watch for the following eye symptoms while under the care of a physician.

• Floaters (spots, bugs, spider webs)
• Light flashes
• Blind spots
• Blurred vision
• Obstructed areas of vision
• Sudden decrease of vision

Diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus

Diagnosis is confirmed by finding CMY in secretions. and specific antibodies in the blood. In patients where CMV infection can be life-threatening (newborn infants, organ-transplant patients, and people being treated for cancer or who have immune disorders such as AIDS), serious CMV infections may be treated with intravenous (IV) antiviral medication, usually in a hospital. Oral antiviral medication may also be used at home once the infection is under control and the patient is stable.

Treatment of Cytomegalovirus

There is no specific cure and no vaccine. In healthy people the illness usually subsides spontaneously. Transmission of CMV by blood transfusion has been virtually eliminated by the use of non-CMV-infected donors or by applying techniques that remove CMV from the donor blood. Similarly, pasteurization or freezing of donated human milk has reduced the likelihood of CMV transmission through breast-feeding. Thorough hand washing following contact with urine, and saliva from young children, especially those who attend day care centers is recommended. Some of the new antiviral drugs can relieve the symptoms, such as eye complications, but immunodeficient patients are likely to suffer a relapse when the drug is stopped. CMV is mainly a problem for certain high-risk groups, including:

• unborn babies whose mothers become infected with CMV during the pregnancy
• children or adults whose immune systems have been weakened by disease or drug treatment, such as organ transplant recipients or people infected with HIV

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