Cytomegalovirus - Causes, Signs and Symptoms
Cytomegalovirus - Causes, Signs and Symptoms
Cytomegalovirus - Causes, Signs and Symptoms
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6963600/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28719295/
FAMADOR PART
CAUSES (In general) Cytomegalovirus
How is it transmitted?
● Coming into contact with an infected individual's bodily fluids and subsequently
touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
● Engaging in sexual activity with a person who is infected.
● Receiving an organ, bone marrow, or stem cell transplant, or undergoing a blood
transfusion.
In newborns/fetuses.
The virus can spread:
● To the unborn baby from the mother during pregnancy (congenital CMV)
● To the newborn from the mother during delivery (Perinatal CMV)
● Consuming the breast milk of a mother who is infected.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is not sexually transmitted but spreads from person to person through
droplet infection, such as occurs with sneezing. If a woman acquires a primary CMV infection
during pregnancy and the virus crosses the placenta, it called Congenital CMV. This can
lead to severe neurological challenges in the newborn, including hydrocephalus, microcephaly,
or spasticity, as well as eye damage like optic atrophy or chorioretinitis. The infant may also
suffer from hearing impairment or chronic liver disease. Additionally, the newborn's skin might
have large petechiae, commonly referred to as "blueberry-muffin" lesions.
Women typically experience minimal symptoms that they might not even be aware they have
been infected. Diagnosis of CMV infection in either the mother or the infant can be confirmed by
identifying CMV antibodies in blood serum. Even though others are not diagnosed with
congenital CMV, after birth, babies still remain susceptible to acquiring CMV. Some
babies with congenital CMV do not experience problems, but others may develop
illnesses and long-term issues.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358
https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/cytomegalovirus-and-
pregnancy
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?
contenttypeid=90&contentid=p02351
Book in MCN
CONGINETAL CMV
Most babies with CMV that is present at birth (congenital CMV) don’t have symptoms. If
present,
Signs and symptoms:
● Microcephaly
● Intrauterine Growth Restriction
● Hearing loss
● Vision problems
● Developmental delays
● Jaundice
● Hepatosplenomegaly
● Seizures
● Pneumonia
● Petechiae
● Intellectual disability
PERINATAL CMV
Signs and symptoms are usually seen only in very premature or sick newborns between 3
weeks and 6 months of age. They may include:
Signs ans symptoms:
● Hepatosplenomegaly
● Pneumonia
● Feeding difficulties
● Petechiae
● Jaundice
● Developmental days
● Hearing loss
● Vision problems
● Neurological complications
● Skin-rash
TREATMENTS (AMIGABLE)
If CMV is not causing symptoms, you or your baby may not need any treatment. There's
currently no treatment for CMV in pregnancy, but in most cases the virus does not cause any
problems for your baby.
Treatment weakens the virus and reduces the chance of serious problems, but it does not cure
the CMV infection. Babies born with congenital CMV may have tests to check their kidneys,
liver, brain, eyes and hearing, and regular follow-up appointments until they're around age 5.
People with weakened immune systems may need treatment with an antiviral medicine. These
medicines kill infections caused by viruses. Medicines used to treat CMV include ganciclovir,
valganciclovir, cidofovir, and foscarnet.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cytomegalovirus-cmv/
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00369
https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/cytomegalovirus-and-
pregnancy#:~:text=Babies%20who%20show%20the%20signs,can%20include%20ganciclovir
%20or%20valganciclovir
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ganciclovir-oral-route-intravenous-route/side-
effects/drg-20064078?p=1#:~:text=Ganciclovir%20is%20an%20antiviral.,immune%20deficiency
%20syndrome%20(AIDS).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/valganciclovir-oral-route/side-effects/drg-
20066642?p=1#:~:text=Valganciclovir%20is%20an%20antiviral.,or%20kidney%2Dpancreas
%20transplant).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556108/#:~:text=Foscarnet%20is%20an%20FDA
%2Dapproved,resistant%20CMV%20and%20fail%20gancyclovir.
PREVENTION - (LOGUE)
- CMV is mostly found at home and daycare settings. Therefore, the prevention strategies are
mostly accessible.
• Glasses and kitchen utensils may carry CMV and can spread from person to another person.
• CMV is transmitted by direct contact with infectious body fluids (saliva, urine, nasal mucous,
or breastmilk)
3. Throw tissues and disposable items in the bin immediately
• When disposing of diapers, tissues, and other bodily fluid-contaminated materials, thoroughly
wash your hands before touching your face.
• Other things like toys that come in contact with children's saliva, tears, or urine should be
cleaned often
• Cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects may lower the risk of spreading CMV infection.
•Especially when you have contact with children after changing diapers, feeding, handling toys,
etc.
• Washing hands often can reduce the risk of CMV because exposure to the saliva or other
body fluids of children is a major cause of CMV infection among pregnant women.
•Wear a condom during sexual contact to avoid CMV transmission by semen and vaginal
fluids.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358
https://kiddipedia.com.au/how-to-protect-your-unborn-baby-from-cytomegalovirus-cmv/
https://babyyourbaby.org/preventing-cytomegalovirus-cmv-infection-during-pregnancy/