Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virulent pathogen. This virus can affect anyone. Upon infection, the body keeps the virus alive. Many individuals do not know that they bear this virus because it is largely asymptomatic in healthy people. CMV is, however, a great concern to pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Women that acquire this virus during pregnancy can easily pass it to the baby, which can in turn exhibit certain symptoms. To people with a compromised immune system, especially those that harbor the HIV virus or those that have undergone organ transplantation, CMV virus can pose deadly consequences. This virus mainly spreads through body fluids (such as semen, blood, saliva, breast milk, and at times urine) and through contact between individuals (Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 2017). This disease does not have any cure, just like most viruses. But, there are medications that can help treat reduce its virulence among the immunocompromised individuals and newborn babies.
CMV falls under the family of viruses such as mononucleosis, chicken pox, and herpes simplex. It normally cycles between two periods namely; dormancy and active. If an individual is healthy, then CMV is dormant. However, when activated, the virus can easily be passed on from one individual to another via fluids as highlighted above. There are five modes of transmission, which include; sexual contact, breastfeeding, organ transplantation, giving birth, and touching of eyes or nose picking (Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 2017).

It is thus recommended that people lead a highly hygienic life to prevent infection. They should always wash their hands, avoid tears and saliva contact when kissing, stop sharing utensils, always be mindful of disposable materials, and always engage in safe sex.
CMV exhibits a variety of symptoms among the immunocompromised people, children, and healthy adults. The common signs and symptoms among the children at birth (those with congenital CMV) include low birth weight, jaundice, enlarged liver, rashes, microencephaly, and premature birth (Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 2017). Individuals that are immunocompromised show a variety of signs and symptoms around their lungs, esophagus, liver, stomach, eyes, brain, and other vital organs. Finally, healthy people when first infected exhibit symptoms such as muscle aches, fever, fatigue, and sore throat.
The most common types of treatment for CMV are the antiviral medicines. These drugs help reduce the rate of virus multiplication, but they do not do away with it completely. Scientists are also looking into possible new vaccines and medications that can help prevent and treat CMV.
References
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. (2017, April 12). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358