CMV Definition

Cytomegalovirus, commonly known as CMV, is a very common Herpes virus.
The CMV disease attacks 50-85% of the adult population over the age of 40.
For young people the CMV disease is not dangerous and not complicated, sometimes the CMV disease can be a little more rough and the patient will have to rest and stay under supervision for a while until the virus is gone because of fatigue.
Usually after getting the Cytomegalovirus virus once the chances of getting it again are low.

There are certain populations which the Cytomegalovirus virus can be deadly to: these are people who take medications which depress the body immune system because of body parts transplants and more, or people with HIV.
The CMV disease is also deadly for unborn fetus and newborns. Another population at a high risk is people who work with children such as kindergarten teachers and more.

The Cytomegalovirus Virus can be transferred by close, intimate contact. It is transferred through spit, urine, breast milk, sperm, tears, and other body fluids.
Since the infection is so easily transferred a lot of kids get the CMV disease from other children at the kindergarten or at play dates.

CMV Symptoms:

CMV at the young population and the healthy populations usually seems like any other viral disease, the person might not feel so good and have fever.
Sometimes the Cytomegalovirus disease is more severe and seems like the infection mononucleosis disease, which includes: high fever, muscles pain, headaches, skin rash, fatigue, and more.
The CMV virus usually last a few days up to one month, there is not a specific recommended treatment.

CMV and Pregnancy:

Fetus CMV is very common; every year 0.5 to 2 percent of the pregnant women in the world get infected with CMV.
From the infected pregnant women only 10% to 15% of the fetuses actually get the CMV disease themselves.
From the fetuses that got infected with CMV, 50% will show only mild signs and may suffer from jaundice, pneumonia, etc.
on the other hand, 50% of the fetuses that got infected with CMV will suffer from nerves problem that may cause: visual impairment, hearing loss, diminished mental and motor capabilities.
Even if the fetus did not get infected with the CMV during pregnancy there is still a risk for infection when the newborn gets the breast milk.

CMV Treatment:

There are several treatments that can be used when a person from a population at risk, such as a patient with HIV or transplanted organs, gets infected. For healthy people there is no need for any specific treatment, the CMV virus will disappear after a while, the patient should rest and stay under supervision. For pregnant women with CMV there is not a well proven treatment yet.
Vaccines for the CMV are still in the research and development stage.

 

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