{"id":6105,"date":"2019-04-30T03:03:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T03:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6105"},"modified":"2021-04-01T15:12:16","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T15:12:16","slug":"14-things-to-keep-in-mind-about-cytomegalovirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-things-to-keep-in-mind-about-cytomegalovirus\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things to Keep in Mind about Cytomegalovirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are certain things to keep in mind about the cytomegalovirus, which is usually just shortened to CMV, because the more knowledge that you have about this particular illness, the more you\u2019ll be able to protect yourself. This is a pretty common virus that is actually categorized in the herpes classes of viruses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing to be aware of is that what you have the virus, you\u2019re going to retain it for the rest of your life. This common virus can infect just about anyone, and it causes minor problems for many people because most people do not even realize that they have it. However, these problems are rarely serious and most people can recover from this infection with no problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at eight things that you really want to keep in mind when it comes to the cytomegalovirus or CMV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. CMV is Rarely Serious in Healthy People<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are a healthy person, then it is likely that CMV is not going to affect your life at all. You may not even notice that you have symptoms<\/a>, but that is not an issue if your body is able to fight the CMV and keep it at bay. In healthy people, this condition rarely causes any problems whatsoever. In fact, in healthy people, symptoms do not even usually manifest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people that have this illness that is healthy otherwise go through life without even realizing that they haven\u2019t or attributing their symptoms from the illness to something else entirely because of how minor they are. The bottom line is that if you are a healthy person and you do not have a significant immune system problem, then you are likely not ever going to experience a problem with CMV even if you have the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. CMV is Serious If You Are Pregnant <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Those who are pregnant need to take care though and be hyper-vigilant when it comes to CMV however. CMV is a cause for concern for pregnant women. One woman develops an active CMV infection during their pregnancy<\/a>, then it is extremely easy to pass on the virus to the baby. The problem with this is, then the baby may have congenital CMV and that can lead to a huge number of issues including neurological problems, autism, problems of coordination, seizures, epilepsy and a lot more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect that you have CMV, the need to talk to your doctor right away as soon as you become pregnant or even before then. There may be steps that your doctor can take to prevent the CMV virus from passing on to your baby. Since CMV passes on through bodily fluids including breast milk, you may have to find an alternative to breastfeeding as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. CMV is Spread through Bodily Fluids<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The way that CMV is spread is through bodily fluids. This includes breast milk, semen, urine, saliva<\/a>, and blood. This means that those working in a hospital around CMV are particularly at risk. Anyone that works around these types of fluids on a regular basis needs to be extremely cautious and protect themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it can be difficult to know someone has CMV outside of a hospital setting, but you can still be vigilant and make sure that you are not exposed to any of these fluids by doing things like washing your hands as often as possible, keeping hand sanitizer with you at all times and making sure that surfaces in your home or around you at your business have been disinfected so that the illness is not spread that way. The chances are much smaller contracting the infection if you take basic steps like washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Symptoms may be Few or Nonexistent with Standard CMV<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may not notice the symptoms that come from CMV if you are a healthy person because they may be extremely minor or may not manifest at all. However, there are a number of cold-like symptoms that some people experience. For example, fever, night sweats<\/a>, fatigue, swollen glands, weight loss, reduced appetite and joint and muscle pain. However, most of these will not happen at all. When you get CMV, you may just go through life without having any symptoms or experiencing such minor symptoms that you do not even realize that you have CMV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you should still be aware of the symptoms that are out there so that you can get tested and be prepared for any eventuality \u2013 including having a compromised immune system at a later date with the infection still inside your body. In this case, having advanced notice is going to be a very helpful thing that will be beneficial for your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Congenital CMV Symptoms Are Markedly Different<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms that come with congenital CMV are very different. In fact, congenital CMV is extremely serious for the child. Children that are infected with CMV while they are still in the womb or directly afterward can experience a variety of health problems later in life. In fact, congenital CMV can be one of the most devastating infections out there because of just how many serious problems it can cause during childhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, children will CMV may experience epilepsy, neurological symptoms, regular seizures <\/a>and difficulty with eye-hand coordination or physical activity. They may also experience respiratory problems, and there have been some links between congenital CMV and autism. The fact is that congenital CMV needs to be identified and treated as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. CMV Can Spread Quickly with a Weakened Immune System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A compromised immune system<\/a> can spell major problem for someone that has CMV. If you know that you have a weakened immune system, then it is likely that you\u2019re going to see some of the symptoms from CMV. You\u2019ll want to pay attention to the symptoms if they occur and talk to your doctor right away to find out what the treatment is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may be able to temporarily boost your immune system so that having the infection does not become serious down the road. With a weakened immune system, which is something that happens during pregnancy, the body is not able to keep the illness at bay as this can cause various symptoms of reoccurring CMV as well as an increased risk of passing the illness on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. You Should See Your Doctor if\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should see your doctor if you believe that you have CMV and the symptoms are quite visible. This could mean you have a compromised immune system and the symptoms are showing themselves because they are able to get past that immune system. You should also see your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and you are concerned you have CMV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be tested for this illness just in case, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. However, most people wait for at least one or two of the symptoms of reoccurring CMV before they worry too much about it because even if you have the illness, there is not going to be a whole lot you can do about it until there is something to worry about such as autoimmune <\/a>diseases like HIV or AIDS or pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. You Should See Your Pediatrician if\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should take your child to see your pediatrician if they are experiencing any of the symptoms of CMV. There are a lot of symptoms to be aware of, and most of them will manifest within the first six months of life after the infection is transferred to the baby in the womb. In some cases, the infection may be transferred to the baby via breastmilk and so these signs and symptoms may come between six months and nine months of age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are concerned that your child may be experiencing neurological <\/a>symptoms, if they show signs of hearing loss or blurry vision if they have trouble with coordination or other neurological problems if they\u2019re showing signs of autism or any of the other myriad symptoms that can happen with CMV and you definitely want to contact your pediatrician right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Types of CMV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are three types of CMV infection. First time exposure and disease with the virus is known as primary or acquired CMV infection. This type typically occurs due to contact with an infected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recurring CMV occurs when the virus lies dormant in the patient\u2019s system and activates due to a trigger, such as a weakened immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congenital infection occurs when a mother passes CMV onto her baby during the pregnancy. As a result, the baby is born with the virus and may need immediate treatment after birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of CMV infection are relatively consistent across each of the three categories, but the type of CMV may play a role in the intensity and duration of symptoms in the patient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unborn children are at high risk of developing complications related to their condition, and patients with compromised immunes systems, such as those living with HIV<\/a>, may also be at risk of developing severe complications relating to the cardiovascular system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Treating CMV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients infected with CMV experience mild symptoms similar to those of the flu <\/a>or a cold. In most cases, adults will brush off the disease without realizing they had the virus. Infants are at higher risk of infection than adults because they still have underdeveloped immune systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, CMV infections are relatively common in preschools across the United States, with children rapidly infecting each other by sharing food and beverages. It\u2019s common for nursery schools to have extensive breakouts of the virus which require the parents of infected children to quarantine their kids until they return to health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people make a full recovery from CMV infection within a few days after they notice symptoms appear. There is rarely any lasting damage from the disease, even in infected children. Scientists have yet to discover a vaccine for CMV, and there is no cure. Physicians recommend treatment using home remedies and OTC medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Symptoms of Acquired CMV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with first-time exposure to the cytomegalovirus<\/a> may exhibit no symptoms, with their immune system curtailing the replication of the virus before it reaches a critical stage that produces symptoms. However, those individuals with weakened immunes systems may find that they start to develop symptoms similar to that of a cold or sinusitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms typically occur within 12-hours after exposure to CMV, and patients exhibit signs of fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, uneasiness, a sore throat, and swollen glands. As the infection persists, the patient may start to experience muscle ache, joint stiffness, and a loss of appetite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with weak immune systems due to previous or ongoing infection with another virus or bacteria may find that symptoms of CMV persist for up to two weeks. During this time, the patient needs to remain hydrated and get as much bed rest as possible to reduce the intensity of their symptoms and help the body heal from the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Symptoms of Recurring CMV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals may find that they experience recurring CMV. Patients with weak immunes systems may not get rid of all the virus cells, allowing them to remain dormant in their body as they replicate to mount another attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may start to feel like they are getting better, and then experience the second round of symptoms that are as intense as the first round. There are cases where some patients have dealt with recurring infections for years, and they still struggle to deal with the effects of the virus every time it strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of recurring CMV include those found in first-time exposure to the virus, but patients may also experience gastrointestinal problems with recurring infections as well. The eyes and the lungs <\/a>are also targets of recurring infection with CMV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other more severe symptoms associated with recurring CMV may include pneumonia, with low blood oxygen or hypoxemia. Both of these complications can create a life-threatening condition for the patient, and they require immediate medical assistance to prevent the onset of a collapsed lung or coma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Symptoms of Congenital CMV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women run the risk of passing their CMV infection onto their unborn child. The CMV virus can enter the fetus and replicate, causing complications with childbirth. In some cases, these complications can have life-threatening consequences for the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 90-percent of babies born with CMV show no signs of the virus<\/a>. However, 10-percent of infants with the disease may experience deafness after birth during the first 6-months of their life. The extent of the hearing loss varies, from partial to total, depending on the circumstances of the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing loss in children born with CMV may also affect one or both ears, depending on the extent of the infection. Other symptoms of congenital CMV infection include jaundice \u2013 where the baby has yellowish skin color, and they may have red spots on their skin, indicating an underlying health problem, such as CMV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some babies are born premature or with low birth weights. However, in most cases, the infant will experience no lasting damage from the CMV virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any other illness, there is a set of risk factors that make one segment of the population at a higher risk of developing a CMV infection. If you fall into any of the high-risk categories below, then you should increase your awareness about preventative strategies to avoid contamination<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children attending nursery school are at high risk of infection due to their close contact with one another and weakened immune systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults with immune diseases or compromised immune systems are also at high risk of CMV infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who eat out frequently, run the risk of picking up a food-borne CMV infection, from a chef or restaurant worker with the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexually active people who have sex with multiple partners and are between the ages of 18 and 25-years old are also at high risk of infection. Having unprotected sex with an infected partner places you at a high risk of catching the disease.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\r\n

<\/div>