Cytomegalovirus infection: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment. The clinical picture of the manifestation of the virus in acute and chronic form in women

Date: 03.04.2019

Cytomegalovirus, in Lately, has become a common disease. In many patients, the disease is not associated with visible disorders, but can be transmitted from one infected person to another sexually (through contact with the uterine lining or sperm).

Cytomegalovirus is an infection from the herpes family. The virus is not dangerous for healthy people. In general, the disease worsens with a decrease in immunity. The transition of the "dormant" stage to the active one may be associated with the formation malignant neoplasms, severe hypothermia, chronic stress, medication.

The virus damages the genital mucosa, sometimes leading to an inflammatory reaction with proliferation, exudation, and microcirculation disorders.

The disease can manifest itself with a weakening of the body, as well as with normal immunity. Symptoms of genital cytomegalovirus include: headaches and muscle pains, weakness, chills, high body temperature, inflammation genitourinary system, erosion of the cervix, ovaries and vagina, skin rash.

Also, the disease can be associated with pain during urination, the appearance of a whitish-blue discharge.

Cytomegalovirus is necessarily determined in scrapings taken from the genitals, blood and oral mucosa. Additionally, a study is carried out for diseases transmitted through sexual contact using the PCR method. In case of clinical manifestations, additional examinations damaged organ (heart, lungs, liver, etc.).

After establishing an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment for the disease according to a scheme that includes drugs that increase immunity in the treatment of genital cytomegalovirus, preparations of immunoglobulins and interferon.

Treatment of a viral infection has general nature where it is necessary to strengthen the immune system for the body's resistance to the development of the disease, even when infected. Antibiotic therapy is also carried out against concomitant diseases, which makes it possible to remove cytomegalovirus from active form.

When the infection intensifies, it is impossible to self-treat. You definitely need to contact a specialist to prescribe the correct treatment.

Preventive measures include the use of a condom during intercourse. To reduce the risk of congenital infection, and during pregnancy, you need to abandon casual relationships.

Cytomegaly

General information

Cytomegaly- an infectious disease of viral genesis, sexually transmitted, transplacental, household, blood transfusion. Symptomatically occurs in the form of a persistent cold. Weakness, malaise, headaches and joint pains, runny nose, enlargement and inflammation are noted salivary glands, profuse salivation. Often asymptomatic. The severity of the course of the disease is due to general condition immunity. In the generalized form, severe foci of inflammation occur throughout the body. Cytomegaly of pregnant women is dangerous: it can cause spontaneous miscarriage, congenital defects development, intrauterine fetal death, congenital cytomegaly.

Other names for cytomegaly found in medical sources are cytomegalovirus infection (CMV), inclusion cytomegaly, viral disease salivary glands, disease with inclusions. The causative agent of cytomegalovirus infection - cytomegalovirus - belongs to the family of human herpes viruses. The cells affected by cytomegalovirus multiply in size, therefore the name of the disease “cytomegalovirus” is translated as “giant cells”.

Cytomegalovirus is a widespread infection, and many people, being carriers of cytomegalovirus, are not even aware of it. The presence of antibodies to cytomegalovirus is detected in 10-15% of the population in adolescence and in 50% of adults. According to some sources, the carriage of cytomegalovirus is determined in 80% of women of childbearing period. First of all, this refers to the asymptomatic and asymptomatic course of cytomegalovirus infection.

Not all people with cytomegalovirus are sick. Often, cytomegalovirus is in the body for many years and may never manifest itself and not harm a person. The manifestation of a latent infection occurs, as a rule, with a weakening of the immune system. Cytomegalovirus poses a threatening danger in its consequences in persons with reduced immunity (HIV-infected people who have undergone bone marrow transplantation or internal organs taking immunosuppressants), with congenital cytomegaly, in pregnant women.

Ways of transmission of cytomegalovirus

Cytomegaly is not a highly contagious infection. Usually, infection occurs through close, prolonged contact with carriers of cytomegalovirus. Cytomegalovirus is transmitted by the following routes:

airborne: when sneezing, coughing, talking, kissing, etc.;
sexually: during sexual intercourse through semen, vaginal and cervical mucus;
blood transfusion: with transfusion of blood, leukocyte mass, sometimes - with transplantation of organs and tissues;
transplacental: during pregnancy from mother to fetus.

The mechanism of development of cytomegaly

Once in the blood, cytomegalovirus causes a pronounced immune response, manifested in the production of protective protein antibodies - immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG) and an antiviral cellular reaction - the formation of CD 4 and CD 8 lymphocytes. Suppression of cellular immunity in HIV infection leads to active development cytomegalovirus and the infection it causes.

The formation of immunoglobulins M, indicating a primary infection, occurs 1-2 months after infection with cytomegalovirus. After 4-5 months, IgM are replaced by IgG, which are found in the blood throughout subsequent life. With strong immunity, cytomegalovirus does not cause clinical manifestations, the course of the infection is asymptomatic, hidden, although the presence of the virus is determined in many tissues and organs. Affecting cells, cytomegalovirus causes an increase in their size; under a microscope, the affected cells look like an "owl's eye". Cytomegalovirus is determined in the body for life.

Even with an asymptomatic course of infection, the carrier of cytomegalovirus is potentially infectious for uninfected individuals. The exception is the intrauterine transmission of cytomegalovirus from a pregnant woman to the fetus, which occurs mainly during the active course of the process, and only in 5% of cases causes congenital cytomegaly, in the rest it is asymptomatic.

Forms of cytomegaly

Congenital cytomegaly

In 95% of cases, intrauterine infection of the fetus with cytomegalovirus does not cause the development of the disease, but is asymptomatic. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection develops in newborns whose mothers have had primary cytomegalia. Congenital cytomegaly can manifest in newborns in various forms:

petechial rash - small skin hemorrhages - occurs in 60-80% of newborns;
prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation - occurs in 30% of newborns;
chorioretinitis is an acute inflammatory process in the retina of the eye, often causing a decrease and complete loss of vision.

Mortality during intrauterine infection with cytomegalovirus reaches 20-30%. Most of the surviving children have mental retardation or hearing and vision disabilities.

Acquired cytomegaly in newborns

When infected with cytomegalovirus during childbirth (when the fetus passes through birth canal) or in the postpartum period (with household contact with an infected mother or breastfeeding), in most cases, an asymptomatic course of cytomegalovirus infection develops. However, in premature infants, cytomegalovirus can cause protracted pneumonia, which is often associated with concomitant bacterial infection... Often, with cytomegalovirus infection in children, there is a slowdown in physical development, swollen lymph nodes, hepatitis, rash.

Mononucleosis-like syndrome

In persons who have left the neonatal period and have normal immunity, cytomegalovirus can cause the development of a mononucleosis-like syndrome. The clinical course of the mononuclease-like syndrome does not differ from the infectious mononucleosis caused by another type of herpesvirus - the Ebstein-Barr virus. The course of mononucleosis-like syndrome resembles a persistent cold infection. At the same time, it is noted:

prolonged (up to 1 month or more) fever with high temperature body and chills;
aching joints and muscles, headache;
severe weakness, malaise, fatigue;
sore throat;
enlargement of lymph nodes and salivary glands;
A skin rash that resembles a rubella rash (usually seen with ampicillin treatment).

IN individual cases mononucleosis-like syndrome is accompanied by the development of hepatitis - jaundice and an increase in the blood of liver enzymes. Even less often (up to 6% of cases), pneumonia is a complication of mononucleosis-like syndrome. However, in persons with normal immune reactivity, it proceeds without clinical manifestations, being detected only during radiography of the lungs.

The duration of the course of mononucleosis-like syndrome is from 9 to 60 days. Then a complete recovery usually occurs, although residual effects such as malaise, weakness, and enlarged lymph nodes may persist for several months. In rare cases, activation of cytomegalovirus causes recurrence of infection with fever, sweating, hot flashes, and malaise.

Cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised individuals

Weakening of immunity is observed in persons suffering from congenital and acquired (AIDS) immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as in patients who have undergone transplantation of internal organs and tissues: heart, lung, kidney, liver, bone marrow. After organ transplantation, patients are forced to constantly take immunosuppressants, leading to severe suppression immune responses, which causes the activity of cytomegalovirus in the body.

In patients who have undergone organ transplantation, cytomegalovirus causes damage to donor tissues and organs (hepatitis - with liver transplant, pneumonia with lung transplant, etc.). After bone marrow transplantation, cytomegalovirus can lead to the development of pneumonia with a high mortality rate in 15-20% of patients (84-88%). The most dangerous situation is when donor material infected with cytomegalovirus is transplanted to an uninfected recipient.

Cytomegalovirus infects almost all HIV-infected people. At the onset of the disease, malaise, joint and muscle pain, fever, night sweats... In the future, cytomegalovirus lesions of the lungs (pneumonia), liver (hepatitis), brain (encephalitis), retina (retinitis) can join these signs, ulcerative lesions and gastrointestinal bleeding.

In men, cytomegalovirus can affect the testes, prostate, in women - the cervix, the inner layer of the uterus, vagina, ovaries. Complications of cytomegalovirus infection in HIV-infected patients can be internal bleeding from the affected organs, loss of vision. Multiple organ damage by cytomegalovirus can lead to their dysfunction and death of the patient.

Diagnosis of cytomegaly

In order to diagnose cytomegalovirus infection, laboratory determination of specific antibodies to cytomegalovirus - immunoglobulins M and G - is carried out in the blood. The presence of immunoglobulins M may indicate primary infection with cytomegalovirus or reactivation of chronic cytomegalovirus infection. Determination of high titers of IgM in pregnant women may threaten the infection of the fetus. An increase in IgM is detected in the blood 4-7 weeks after infection with cytomegalovirus and is observed for 16-20 weeks. An increase in immunoglobulins G develops during the period of attenuation of the activity of cytomegalovirus infection. Their presence in the blood indicates the presence of cytomegalovirus in the body, but does not reflect the activity of the infectious process.

To determine the DNA of cytomegalovirus in blood cells and mucous membranes (in materials of scrapings from the urethra and cervical canal, in sputum, saliva, etc.), the method of PCR diagnostics (polymerase chain reaction) is used. Especially informative is quantitative PCR, which gives an idea of the activity of cytomegalovirus and the infectious process caused by it. The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection is based on the isolation of cytomegalovirus in clinical material or with a fourfold increase in antibody titer. Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in persons at risk is carried out with the antiviral drug ganciclovir. In cases of severe cytomegaly, ganciclovir is administered intravenously, since the tablet forms of the drug have only preventive effect in relation to cytomegalovirus. Since ganciclovir has pronounced side effects (it causes inhibition of hematopoiesis - anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, skin reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, fever and chills, etc.), its use is limited in pregnant women, children and people suffering from renal failure (only for health reasons), it is not used in patients without impaired immunity.

For the treatment of cytomegalovirus in HIV-infected people, the most effective drug is foscarnet, which also has a number of side effects... Foscarnet may cause violation electrolyte metabolism(decrease in blood plasma of magnesium and potassium), genital ulceration, urinary disorders, nausea, kidney damage. Data adverse reactions require careful use and timely adjustment of the dose of the drug.

Prevention

The issue of preventing cytomegalovirus infection is especially acute in persons at risk. The most susceptible to infection with cytomegalovirus and the development of the disease are HIV-infected (especially patients with AIDS), patients after organ transplantation and persons with immunodeficiency of a different genesis.

Non-specific methods of prevention (for example, adherence to personal hygiene) are ineffective against cytomegalovirus, since it can even be infected by airborne droplets. Specific prophylaxis cytomegalovirus infection is carried out with ganciclovir, acyclovir, foscarnet among patients at risk. Also, to exclude the possibility of infection with cytomegalovirus in recipients during organ and tissue transplantation, careful selection of donors and control of donor material for the presence of cytomegalovirus infection is required.

Cytomegalovirus is especially dangerous during pregnancy, as it can provoke miscarriage, stillbirth, or cause severe congenital malformations in a child. Therefore, cytomegalovirus, along with herpes, toxoplasmosis and rubella, is one of those infections for which women should be examined prophylactically, even at the stage of pregnancy planning.

Moreover, it has become most widespread in recent decades. The first mentions of cytomegalovirus infection date back to the end of the 19th century. Then this disease was called " kissing disease". The name was dictated by the selective lesion of the salivary glands and the predominant mode of transmission. Microscopic pathogen this disease was identified in 1956.

What is cytomegalovirus?

Cytomegalovirus belongs to the herpes group viruses and has a number of common structural features similar to herpes simplex virus. However, some properties of the infection are different from herpes and the lesion affects other organs. This infection was named after morphological form affected cells - as a result of cell damage, the latter increases in size ( in translation, the purpose means "large cage").

Modes of transmission

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of detected patients with cytomegalovirus infection. This can be largely attributed to the peculiarities of sexual behavior. modern society, with a more active diagnosis of this disease or with a high prevalence of immunodeficiency conditions among the population. In general, regardless of the reasons for the statistical picture, it is necessary to pay attention to the mode of transmission of this disease.

Sexual transmission
The most common transmission route for this moment... The thing is that a high concentration of the virus is created in human biological fluids - saliva, semen, seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, urine. Therefore, infection is possible both with genital intercourse and with oral or rectal contacts.

Household transmission path
Infrequently, this pathway leads to infection, but it cannot be ruled out. With the active development of cytomegalovirus infection, a sufficiently high concentration of the virus is created in saliva, which makes infection possible with a kiss, the use of a common toothbrush or utensils can also lead to infection. An aerogenic transmission route is rarely found - during a long conversation with a patient at a close distance.

Hematological pathway
In this type, the transmission of infection occurs as a result of contact with the patient's blood: during transfusion of blood components, transplantation of organs and tissues, accidental injury to the medical staff medical manipulations, in dental office.

Lactogenic pathway
When breastfed babies infancy... At the same time, the greatest chances of infecting their child are in mothers with an active course of infection or with primary infection during breastfeeding.

Symptoms and types of cytomegalovirus infection

In fairness, it should be noted that infection with this disease is detected among 90 - 95% of the population. However, not every infected person gets sick or becomes a virus carrier. Therefore, the diagnosis of this disease is primarily determined by the symptoms and complaints of the patient.
Clinical picture cytomegalovirus lesion can be described in several forms, depending on the severity of the lesion.

Mononucleosis Syndrome
It is characterized by the classic symptoms of the disease:

Inflammation of the salivary glands, lymph nodes in the head and neck region. This inflammation may be accompanied by an increase in the size of the affected organs, pain.
Inflammation of the pharynx - sore throat. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx with mucopurulent discharge.
General intoxication - weakness, fever, headaches.

Typically the data clinical manifestations observed for 2 - 3 weeks. During this period of time, the formation of the body's immune response to an infectious lesion occurs, which leads either to a cure or to further progression of the disease and the transition to the next stage of the disease - Localized CMV or Generalized form of CMV.

Generalized form of CMV
As a rule, this handicap develops in people with immunodeficiency (primary immunodeficiencies, HIV infection, drug immunosuppression). It is characterized by general damage to all organs and systems: inflammation of the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, brain, etc. The most common diagnoses for this form of lesion are: cytomegalovirus hepatitis, cytomegalovirus pneumonia, or retinitis ( retinal inflammation).

Localized CMV handicap
The most common form of cytomegalovirus disease is this particular form. At the same time, among female patients, there are signs of inflammation of the pelvic organs: pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, exacerbation of pain during genital intercourse, pathological discharge from the genital tract. These symptoms may indicate the following diseases: cervicitis, endometritis, adnexitis. Among men, urethritis is observed ( inflammation urethra ), testicular damage ( orchitis).

Prevention of CMV

Based on the modes of transmission that were provided above, it is not difficult to understand how to avoid infection. However, the detection of signs of contact with this infection in 90% of the world's population indicates that it is extremely difficult to avoid infection. Therefore, the greatest attention in the prevention of this disease should be paid during pregnancy planning or during pregnancy itself. Indeed, during this period, primary infection or activation of the virus can lead to spontaneous abortion or the development of congenital deformities in the child. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the prevention of infection:

1. Restriction, and better the exclusion of casual relationships, keeping marital fidelity and adherence to the principles of monogamy ( by both sexual partners).
2. Using your own cutlery in public catering places, observing the rules of personal hygiene.
3. Limiting communication with people with immunodeficiency status.

Given the fact that with a 90% probability it can be argued that at the time of conception of a child, you or your sexual partner is infected with this virus, but the infection did not lead to the development of the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system by all means.
Therefore, the main condition for the prevention of this disease is persistent immunity. In strengthening the immune system, you should not rely on medicines - immunostimulants or all kinds of homeopathic, and sometimes just quack "miracle immunostimulants". The key to strong immunity is an active and healthy lifestyle, a rational diet, work and rest. But the basis of health is a positive psycho-emotional attitude. Take care of your health and be prudent!

This article will focus on cytomegalovirus infection. About what methods of treatment are used for this disease. And also about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis of this disease.

What is cytomegalovirus?

Cytomegalovirus Is one of a kind of viruses that belongs to the herpesvirus family. It is stored for life in the human body. Such a virus is not highly contagious. The likelihood of infection is high if very long time had close communication with a person who has this virus.

The virus does not carry significant labor to the body, if the human immune system is in order. The dangerous period is pregnancy.

In autumn, during stress, with a lack of vitamin, a person's immunity weakens, so it is so important to strengthen it. The drug is completely natural and allows for a short time recover from colds.

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Cytomegalovirus infection

Virus infection can occur in the following ways:

Airborne droplets;
Contact and household;
Sexual;
From mother to fetus;
Infection of the child during childbirth;
Infection through breast milk;
Possible infection through blood transfusion;
Organ transplant

With all this, a patient with a diagnosis of cytomegaly is considered the main source of infection.

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The preparation contains 18 herbs and 6 vitamins, extracts and concentrates of plants
Removes toxins from the body, shortening the rehabilitation period after illness

Propagation paths

There are many ways cytomegalovirus spreads:

Through saliva, with a kiss;
Through semen, during sexual intercourse without a fuse;
Through the placenta, during pregnancy;
Through organs, when transplanted from a patient with the virus;
Through blood, during transfusion;
Through breast milk of the mother, in the postpartum period, during feeding;
Through dirty hands, other people's toothbrushes and other household items.

Knowing all the ways the virus spreads, a person can completely protect himself. It is necessary to follow the rules of personal hygiene, family members are required to donate blood for cytomegalovirus

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Factors in the development of infection

The main factors for the development of infection include:

Source of infection. That is, a person who already has cytomegalovirus. With very close and long communication with this person, there is a risk of infection.
Transfer mechanisms. That is, through which paths infection is possible. These include sexual intercourse, kissing, donation, organ transplants, mother-to-child and more.
The degree of susceptibility of the human body to viruses. That is, how much a person is protected by immunity. If a person has a sufficiently strong and persistent immunity, infection can be avoided.

The main cause of bronchitis accompanied by phlegm is a viral infection. The disease occurs due to damage by bacteria, and in some cases - when the body is exposed to allergens.

Now you can safely purchase excellent natural preparations that alleviate the symptoms of the disease, and can completely get rid of the disease in up to several weeks.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus in women

The clinical manifestation of the virus mainly depends on the state of the patient's immunity. In the event that a person's immune system is normal, cytomegalovirus can persist in the body without manifesting itself at all and without causing harm to a person.

But there is one problem which is expressed in the fact that the virus can be transmitted to a healthy person. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic. However, there are still exceptions.

In such cases, the following symptoms are observed:

The body temperature rises;
Chills appear;
Fatigue, fatigue;
General intoxication of the body;
Strong headache.

If the human immune system is weak for any reason, then the cytomegalovirus particles increase their activity and the clinical picture becomes pronounced.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection resembles a clinic for acute respiratory infections. The main difference between them is the duration. Cytomegalovirus infection lasts about 4-6 weeks.

The symptoms are as follows:

Increased body temperature;
Nasal congestion;
Enlarged liver and spleen, as well as cervical lymph nodes;
Headaches, muscle pains appear;
The patient has chills;
The appearance of a rash is possible.

The acute form of the virus proceeds a little differently. First comes incubation period lasting from 20 to 60 days. During the incubation period, an infected person poses a great threat to healthy people. This condition can persist for up to 2-3 years.

CMV can manifest itself on the part of the genitourinary system:

In women, due to the virus, it is possible that various erosion(cervix, vagina, ovaries). A bluish discharge from the genitals may appear. The appearance of pain in the lower abdomen is possible. If at this time the woman is pregnant, then there is a risk of infection of the fetus.

This condition can only be observed with weak immunity.

What is CMV infection associated with in immunocompromised women?

When the immune system is weakened, the infection process is very active.

There are two options for the manifestation of the disease:

Mononucleosis-like type. Lymph nodes increase, first cervical, then mandibular, then axillary, inguinal. The increase is accompanied by soreness.
After that, symptoms of general intoxication of the body appear. When diagnosed, an increase in the liver is observed. When laboratory research there is an increase in leukocytes in the blood, and the appearance of atypical mononuclear cells is also observed.
Generalized type. This type of disease is very rare. Its course has a very severe form.
Many organs are affected: liver, kidneys, reproductive system, retina of eyes, salivary glands, lungs. This is the main clinic for the generalized form of the disease.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus in women with AIDS

Most women diagnosed with AIDS suffer from cytomegalovirus infection. The disease manifests itself as pneumonia or encephalitis.

The clinic of cytomegalovirus pneumonia looks like this:

Bilateral inflammation is observed lung tissue(often fatal);
The disease has a long course;
There are bouts of coughing and shortness of breath.

With cytomegalovirus encephalitis, the clinic is as follows:

Dementia;
Deterioration of intelligence;
Memory and attention deteriorate.

Since AIDS has a clear immunodeficiency there is damage from the liver, kidneys, spinal cord, the reproductive system. The most important damage is from the organs of vision. Every fifth woman diagnosed with AIDS loses her eyesight, while others have vision problems.

Symptoms in women during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the clinic of a cytomegalovirus infection of the usual course also resembles ARVI:

Symptoms of general intoxication;
Fever
Chills;
Runny nose, etc.

However, with a severe course of the disease, the appearance is observed:

Inflammation of the lungs;
Hepatitis A;
Myocarditis;
Ulcers of the stomach and intestines.

If cytomegalovirus appeared before pregnancy, then it does not cause much harm to the woman and child.

But if the virus appeared during pregnancy, it poses a serious threat to the fetus:

The threat of termination of pregnancy;
Premature birth;
Severe malformations of the brain, eyes and other organs;
Intrauterine fetal death.

Symptoms of complications and consequences of cytomegalovirus

In a severe course of cytomegalovirus infection, various complications and consequences are possible:

Kidney damage.
With kidney damage, the following symptoms are observed:

Fever
Soreness when urinating;
Intermittent urination;
Pain from the kidneys and more.

Liver damage.
Symptoms:

There is an increase in the liver;
Nausea, vomiting;
Stool disorder, etc.

Damage to the organs of vision:

Vision problems;
Blindness.

Violations from the outside central system;
Emergence allergic rash.

The consequences of the virus are maximally dangerous for pregnant women and their children. Through the placenta, the virus enters the fetus and this threatens the death of the fetus. But if the infection occurred before pregnancy, it will not bring any risk to the fetus, since the mother has already developed protective antibodies.

Cytomegalovirus can for a long time to be in the human body, while not manifesting in any way

However, with reduced immunity, the virus immediately makes itself felt with the following consequences:

Sore throat;
Stool disorder (diarrhea, bloody stools, colon inflammation);
Dysfunction of the liver;
Purulent formations;
Pneumonia;
Disruption of the work of internal organs.

Compulsory treatment is necessary, since if treatment is not carried out on time, this will lead to a worsening of the patient's condition and, in the most severe case, even death.

Rare forms of CMV

There are two of the most rare forms of cytomegalovirus infection:

Generalized form of CMV. This form is rare. It is observed in persons with clearly compromised immunity due to HIV infection, radiation, immunodeficiency, and radiation sickness.
With this form, a person has damage to the kidneys, lungs, liver, intestines, retina, and brain. The appearance of a rash is possible, there is an increase in the salivary, parotid glands.
The most common manifestations of this form:

hepatitis;
pneumonia;
retinitis.

Localized form. This form is extremely rare.
It localized affects the genitourinary system:

in females it is acute, endometritis, erosion are observed;
there are erosive and ulcerative genitals.

Complications

Cytomegalovirus infection, like other diseases, has a number of complications:

The defeat of a number of organs(liver, kidney, spleen, eyes, etc.);
Fetal infection. There is a possibility of miscarriage, the threat of premature birth, as well as disruption of the functioning of the fetal organs;
With the longest and most severe form the disease can be fatal.

Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus

Diagnostics is aimed at identifying the virus due to which the disease is caused.

It includes the following studies:

Detection of antibodies to CMV;
DNA diagnostics;
Sowing.

When conducting correct diagnosis antibodies to the disease can be detected and the appropriate treatment can be selected

Determination of the duration of infection

To determine the age of infection, it is necessary to pass an antibody test. It is necessary to determine the avidity of antibodies.

That is, what is the strength between antibody and antigen. If the avidity of antibodies is close to 30-60%, this means the infection is fresh, the infection has occurred recently.

If 60% - the infection has already been transferred. That is, thanks to this analysis, it is possible to sufficiently determine the time and stage of the patient's infection.

Which doctors should you contact if you have cytomegalovirus infection?

Many are wondering which doctor to turn to. In the case of cytomegalovirus infection, it all depends on the course of the disease.

If CMV is in a pregnant woman, a gynecologist will take care of the treatment. In other cases, an immunologist, an infectious disease specialist, as well as other specialized specialists will help.

CMV treatment

After carrying out the correct diagnosis, it is required to start treatment. Treatment is carried out in two ways.

Medication

Treatment with medications does not strongly affect cytomegalovirus. It is necessary to combine drugs. It is necessary to use antiviral drugs: viferon, interferon, etc. And you can also use medicated tampons.

At this time, antibiotics are more often used, which have antiviral and immunostimulating effects. Complete cure can occur only if treatment is started on time.

Folk remedies

TO folk methods herbal medicine belongs, and there are also several recipes:

You need to mix a tablespoon of St. John's wort, chamomile, immortelle and birch buds. Pour boiled water on top and leave for 45 minutes. Consume a tablespoon twice a day for a month.
Pour 500 ml of boiled water over one salt spoon of echinacea. Insist for 10 hours. Take 150 ml 30 minutes before meals. Consume 2-4 weeks.
It is necessary to take a series of thyme, yarrow, birch buds in the same quantity. Grind. 2 tablespoons of the collection will require half a liter of boiling water. Pour and leave for 24 hours. Take a glass 3-4 times a day.

Prevention

Prevention is a very important element. In this case, it is especially important for pregnant women. In this regard, pregnant women need to refrain from all contact with sick people, and also avoid casual sexual intercourse.

In other cases, prevention consists in observing the norms of personal hygiene. Needed physical activity, as well as healthy image life.

The most important thing is that a person must take care of himself.

Every day, a person comes into contact with a huge number of microorganisms and viruses that can cause changes in the functions of the body's systems, leading to diseases of various severity and duration, as well as the adverse consequences of these diseases.

If for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infectious diseases highly effective antibacterial and antimycotic drugs have been created, then the treatment of patients with viral lesions presents significant difficulties in connection with the peculiarities of the biology of viruses, the nature of the interaction of viral particles and the host organism, the state immune system the latter and many other factors.

Viruses - serious problem humanity

A distinctive feature of viruses is that they cannot reproduce on their own, but they are able to effectively reproduce in sensitive cells of a macroorganism, where they implement their genetic program to create offspring.

The main stages of the interaction of viruses with the cell: adsorption (this is a trigger mechanism, manifested by the interaction of specific receptors of the virus and the host cell), penetration (fusion of the supercapsid with the cell membrane), release (isolation of nucleicapsid nucleic acids and activation of viral nucleic acid), synthesis of nucleic acids and viral proteins (subordination of host cell systems and their work on the reproduction of the virus), assembly of virions and the release of new viral particles from cells into the intercellular space, blood or lymph.

The host's antiviral defense is a very complex and multicomponent mechanism. In the primary interaction with viruses, infectious agents are opposed by nonspecific defense mechanisms of the body, which include the epithelium of the skin, mucous membranes. After the virus enters the cell, interferons and other cytokines produced by infected cells play the main role in providing local immunity. The importance to contain a viral infection after infection, lymphocytes and macrophages also have, providing phagocytosis and destruction of viruses. Formed at viral infections antibodies act directly on viruses or on cells infected with them.

Almost all viruses stimulate the production of interferons. Their education is one of the earliest defense reactions organism for the introduction of viruses. Interferons inhibit the intracellular stages of viral reproduction in infected cells, provide immunity to viruses surrounding healthy cells, and prevent the dissemination of viruses in the body.

The use of immunotropic drugs, interferon and its inducers is becoming a necessary part of the conventional treatment of various infectious diseases.

Cytomegalovirus infection - what is it and where does it come from?

Cytomegalovirus infection is a widespread infection. In the 1st year of life, antibodies in cytomegalovirus infection are found in 20% of children, in children attending kindergartens, the prevalence of infection is 25-80%, in the adult population, antibodies to cytomegalovirus are found in 85-90% of the population.

The relevance of studying cytomegalovirus infection is due to the fact that cytomegalovirus can cause adverse effects after infection in newborns and children of the 1st year of life, whose mothers have had an infection during pregnancy.

The source of infection can be a virus carrier, a sick acute form(in case of primary infection) or a patient during an exacerbation of the infection. The main transmissions of infection are airborne, sexual, contact, oral, parenteral, enteral and vertical pathways, while the transmission of viruses is carried out through all biological fluids and excretions of the body (saliva, urine, blood, etc.). If the virus enters the human body after primary infection, it can remain in the body for life. The infection can be asymptomatic (virus carrier) due to the fact that the virus is protected by lymphocytes from the action of specific antibodies and interferon.

In the literature, the latent course of infection caused by cytomegalovirus is referred to as "cytomegalovirus infection", and the clinically expressed course with organ damage is referred to as "cytomegalovirus disease". The development of cytomegalovirus disease is characterized by leukocyte infiltration various bodies

Symptoms of CMVI, the prevalence of the disease and possible consequences

Severe symptoms of the disease can appear during primary infection or activation of a latent infection against the background of a decrease in the body's immunity. This can be observed in children, pregnant women, adults with reduced immunity resulting from exposure to adverse environmental factors, with immunodeficiency, taking cytostatics and immunosuppressants, after transplantation or chemotherapy in cancer patients and in other cases of immunosuppression (conditions in which immunity decreases) ...

Clinical picture cytomegalovirus infection is nonspecific and largely depends on the route of infection, the state of the immune system. Most typical symptoms cytomegalovirus disease - a temperature above 38 ° C, leukopenia (a decrease in the number of leukocytes), thrombocytopenia (a decrease in the number of platelets), an increase in the activity of liver enzymes. With cytomegalovirus disease, lesions may develop different departments gastrointestinal tract, occur characteristic of colds inflammatory processes nasopharynx and oropharynx. The most severe form of the disease becomes cytomegalovirus pneumonia characterized by the development of severe respiratory failure and antibiotic resistance.

The period of primary infection lasts about 2-3 weeks, in the absence of an immune response, it turns into a generalized form; with insufficient immune response acute illness can pass into a localized form, and if sufficient, a cure occurs. Carriage of viruses is observed in 90-95% of the adult population (cytomegalovirus positivity), while the carrier is not dangerous to others, but with a decrease in immunity, the carrier can become active. The generalized form can occur in persons with severe immunodeficiency and manifest as inflammation of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands, liver tissue, adrenal glands, spleen, joints and other organs. The manifestations of the localized form in women may be cervicitis, endometritis, salpingo-oophoritis, inflammation of the submandibular and parotid salivary glands, cervical lymph nodes, in men there may be asymptomatic carriage or sluggish urethritis.

Cytomegalovirus infection - danger for pregnant women

Cytomegalovirus infection and antibodies to viruses are found in 50-85% of pregnant women, while primary infection occurs in 1-12% of pregnant women, which poses a danger to pregnancy and the fetus.

Primary cytomegalovirus infection can cause complications such as non-developing or premature pregnancy, fetal-placental insufficiency, fetal growth retardation syndrome, polyhydramnios, premature placental abruption, etc. the fetus depends on the gestational age at which the primary infection or reactivation of the infection occurred.

If a woman's primary infection occurred in the first half of pregnancy, then 8-10% of children born to these mothers may experience clinical manifestations in the form of hepatosplenomegaly, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, petechial rash, microcephaly, retinitis, hyperbilirubinemia, hypotrophy, delay syndrome fetal development, pneumonia and other manifestations.

Infection in the second half of pregnancy can lead to chronic congenital cytomegalovirus infection, in severe cases - to dysfunction of the central nervous system, liver, impaired vision and hearing. Intranatal (during childbirth) and early postnatal infection (immediately after birth), which occurs when feeding seropositive mothers, proceeds, as a rule, without clinical manifestations and is more common than transplacental.

It is for these reasons that all pregnant women, without exception, are recommended to be tested not only for CMVI, but also for other intrauterine infections.

Diagnostics of the cytomegalovirus infection

Difficulties in diagnosing cytomegalovirus infection are associated with the lack of seasonal cyclicity of the incubation, with the fact that the incubation period has been erased, there are no characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease, and latent forms of the course of the infectious process are often found.

The main diagnostic method for cytomegalovirus infection is serological with the detection of specific antibodies to the antigens of the virus. To identify the features of the course of infection, it is recommended to determine the avidity of immunoglobulins M and G and antibodies to the nadranny protein. Molecular biological methods (DNA hybridization, ligase chain reaction, PCR) make it possible to detect early stages, latent and persistent infection, quantitative parameters of viremia. The cytological method is used for express diagnostics of cytomegalovirus infection on the surface of the chorion, fetal membranes.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection

Treatment is prescribed and monitored by a physician due to the toxicity of many drugs traditionally used in the treatment of CMVI, especially in pregnant and lactating women.