Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus is a common virus in the same family as herpes virus and It can infect anyone because It spread through bodily fluids like saliva and urine and it can be passed on through close contact such as when changing nappies, kissing, having sex or receiving an infected organ in organ transplant.
When infected by CMV, healthy people do not feel any symptoms; a majority of adult has antibodies consistent with past infection. People who have symptoms of CMV will recover from it without any complications however people who have weak immune system in such people CMV will cause serious diseases like hepatitis, pneumonia etc, Infants born with CMV infected mother during pregnancy may develop congenital CMV infections.
Diagnosis:
Physicians diagnose the CMV infection by culturing the virus, detecting CMV DNA from the infected patients or detecting DNA antibodies.
Treatment:
Antiviral treatment sometimes improves the prognosis in several patients; there are no vaccines for CMV. No antiviral drug is currently available for the prevention of congenital CMV infections.
Prevention of Cytomegalovirus:
- Washing hands frequently 10-15 minutes to prevent infections when contacting with young babies, handling toys, changing diapers.
- Avoiding sharing food, drinks, and utensils with others.
- Avoiding contact with saliva when kissing a child
- Cleaning toys, countertops, and surfaces that come into contact with a child’s urine or saliva
- Using condoms during sexual contact etc.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Medication
- Medicine Name: CIDOFOVIR
- Generic Name: Visitide
- Approval Date: June 26, 1996
- Company Name: GILEAD SCIENCES INC
- Available as (Form & Strength): 375mg Injection