Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus. Once you are infected, the virus remains in your body. Most people do not even realize it because it is almost entirely asymptomatic.
CMV can be dangerous for pregnant women or individuals with weakened immune systems. Women who develop an active CMV infection during pregnancy can transmit the virus to their babies. Congenital cytomegalovirus usually causes no signs at all, but in about 1 in 5 babies it leads to various symptoms at birth or later. For people with weakened immune systems, especially those who have undergone an organ or bone transplant, CMV infection is extremely dangerous and can even be fatal.
There are three types of cytomegalovirus infection:
- Acute CMV infection;
- Generalized CMV infection;
- Congenital CMV infection.
Of these, congenital CMV infection likely caught your attention the most, so let's find out why CMV is dangerous during pregnancy.
Why is cytomegalovirus dangerous during pregnancy?
It is important to keep in mind that CMV is very common. If a baby is born with CMV, it is called congenital CMV. "Congenital" refers to a condition present from birth. Such infants may face various health-threatening complications, including:
- Low birth weight;
- Skin rash;
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice);
- Enlargement of the liver and spleen;
- Smaller-than-normal head size (microcephaly);
- Seizures;
- Hearing loss (deafness);
- Vision impairment;
- Intellectual disabilities;
- Stunted growth and development.
What are the symptoms of cytomegalovirus?
Most people infected with CMV do not have any symptoms. This condition is called asymptomatic. For this reason, some pregnant women do not realize they are infected with CMV. Because the symptoms of acute CMV are non-specific, they can be mistaken for other types of infections, such as the flu or infectious mononucleosis.
During pregnancy, some women infected with CMV may experience symptoms of an acute infection. These include:
- Fever;
- Fatigue;
- Muscle pain;
- Headache;
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Factors of viral transmission
CMV can be transmitted through bodily fluids that contain the virus, such as:
- Blood;
- Urine;
- Semen;
- Vaginal fluids;
- Saliva;
- Tears;
- Breast milk.
You can also catch the virus if you come into direct contact with any of the bodily fluids listed above and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.
CMV can be transmitted from person to person in the following cases:
- Pregnancy and childbirth;
- Babysitting;
- Kissing;
- Changing diapers;
- Sexual contact;
- Sharing items such as toothbrushes, eating utensils, or drinking glasses;
- Receiving a blood transfusion, organ transplant, or bone transplant from a person infected with CMV.
How is CMV detected?
Laboratory tests can determine if you have CMV. Most often, these tests check for the presence of CMV antibodies in your blood.
Treatments for cytomegalovirus infection
There is no treatment that completely removes CMV from the body, but babies born with signs of congenital CMV and people with weakened immune systems can be treated with antiviral medicines; in babies, it is important to start treatment within the first month of life. Like all herpes viruses, once you become infected with CMV, it remains in your body for life.
There is currently no treatment for CMV infection during pregnancy. Antiviral medications may reduce the risk of infection, but they cannot always prevent the virus from passing to the developing baby.
Disease prevention
Practicing caution and following hygiene rules is the best prevention against CMV. Precautions to prevent CMV infection:
- Washing hands frequently;
- Avoiding contact with saliva and tears when kissing a child;
- Not sharing food and drinks from the same dish with others;
- Being careful with disposable items;
- Cleaning toys and tabletops.
