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Your Guide To Understanding Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
What is Cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
Cytomegalovirus, also known as CMV, is a prevalent viral infection that can infect individuals of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), studies suggest that more than half of adults have experienced a CMV infection by the age of 40.
For many individuals, but particularly for women, being well-informed about CMV is crucial as it can lead to negative impacts on pregnancy and birth defect risks. Once an individual has been infected by CMV, the virus resides permanently within their body with the potential of reactivating. It is also possible for an individual to be re-infected with a different CMV strain throughout their life.
Symptoms and Effects of CMV.
In many instances, CMV infections may not present noticeable symptoms, especially in healthy individuals with robust immune systems. However, some individuals may experience symptoms that include:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Body aches
CMV also poses particular risks to pregnant women and their unborn infants. If a woman becomes infected with CMV during pregnancy, there is a chance that the virus can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta. This transmission can lead to congenital CMV infection, and while most babies who have congenital CMV appear healthy at birth, a percentage of these newborns develop symptoms in the months or years following their birth such as hearing loss and developmental delays.
For the infants with congenital CMV who are sick at birth, their symptoms can include:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Jaundice as shown through yellowed skin and eyes
- Malfunctioning liver
- Seizures
- Pneumonia
- Microencephaly (abnormally small head)
- Skin splotches and/or rash
What causes CMV?
CMV is caused by the transmission of the Cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpesvirus family. The virus can spread through various routes including close contact with infected individuals, exposure to infected bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, and breast milk, as well as sexual contact. In addition, CMV can be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child during pregnancy.
Once the virus enters the body, it can establish a lifeline infection and reside in a dormant state within certain cells. Factors such as a weakened immune system, like those seen in individuals with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients, can lead to the reactivation of the virus and result in an active CMV infection. Understanding the modes of transmission and risk factors associated with CMV can help individuals take appropriate precautions to minimize the chances of acquiring or transmitting the virus.
-> There are no current vaccines available to prevent cytomegalovirus infections.
CMV Prevention.
There are preventative measures that pregnant women can take to reduce the risk of acquiring the virus. These include frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with individuals who have active CMV infections, and refraining from sharing utensils or personal items that may come into contact with bodily fluids. As toddlers and young children commonly have silent CMV infections and may have the virus present in their saliva and urine, it is also advised to avoid contact with teas and saliva when you greet or interact with young children.
Currently, there is no specific vaccine available to prevent a CMV infection. This is instead a hot topic of research in the pharmaceutical space. If you're interested in playing a role in developing a cytomegalovirus vaccine, consider learning more about the clinical trials available to you. These clinical trials would be an opportunity for you to explore preventative CMV options while helping advance medicine.
