Cytomegaly is also known as CMV infection or inclusion body disease. It is a very common viral infectious disease. It is mainly transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse. Cytomegaly is caused by the cytomegalovirus or cytomegalovirus (CMV). It can be detected in almost all bodily fluids in infected persons.
Here you will find further information as well as selected cytomegalovirus specialists and centers.
According to estimates, the cytomegalovirus can be detected in around 50 percent of the population in Europe. In developing countries, over 90 percent of people carry the virus.
A cytomegalovirus infection often goes unnoticed in otherwise healthy people. It causes no or only non-specific symptoms such as mild fever and swelling of the lymph nodes. Cytomegaly is therefore mainly of concern for
a danger.
Cytomegaly is caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV). It belongs to the group of herpes viruses and remains in the body for life after an initial infection. The virus is present in almost all bodily fluids of an infected person, in particular
One of the main routes of transmission of the cytomegalovirus is unprotected sexual intercourse. However, infection is also possible via
is also possible. Infected pregnant women can also pass CMV on to their unborn child via the placenta. The birth itself is also a possible transmission route from the infected woman to her child.
After infection with CMV, it takes around two to twelve weeks for the first symptoms to appear. More precise information on the incubation period of cytomegaly is not yet known.
The initial infection with the cytomegalovirus is usually asymptomatic in people with a healthy immune system. If symptoms do occur, these are usually non-specific complaints such as
Those affected often interpret these signs as a flu-like infection.
Due to this asymptomatic course of cytomegaly, the infection often remains undetected for a long time. As a result, those affected can unknowingly infect other people with the cytomegalovirus.
A healthy, strong immune system is the best protection against cytomegaly © peterschreiber.media | AdobeStock
Cytomegalovirus infection poses a far greater risk for people with a weakened immune system. These include
In these immunocompromised individuals, the cytomegalovirus can lead to life-threatening illnesses.
The organs that can be affected by cytomegalovirus infection include
The consequences include
Other possible symptoms of cytomegaly in an immunocompromised person are
If a pregnant woman is infected with cytomegalovirus, this can result in a miscarriage.
Infection of an unborn child in the womb also has serious consequences. In 20 percent of cases, malformations and clinical pictures can develop that can lead to severe and lifelong disabilities in the child.
Possible consequences of such a prenatal cytomegalovirus infection include
The situation is different for newborns who only become infected during or after birth. They usually do not show any severe symptoms.
Cytomegaly is accompanied by numerous unspecific symptoms. These can indicate very different diseases. The doctor should therefore carry out a diagnosis of exclusion. In doing so, the doctor gradually excludes all diseases with similar symptoms. In the end, only an infection with the cytomegalovirus remains as a possible cause.
The doctor can then confirm the diagnosis of cytomegaly by directly detecting the pathogen. To do this, he takes blood, tissue or urine samples from the affected patient and tests them for the cytomegalovirus. The diagnosis of cytomegaly is confirmed if the doctor can detect CMV in the body secretions and tissue samples.
It is also possible to search for antibodies against the cytomegalovirus in the blood. However, antibodies in the blood do not clarify the question of whether it is an acute cytomegalovirus infection or one that occurred some time ago.
If an infection of the unborn child is suspected, an amniocentesis can confirm the suspicion.
Cytomegaly treatment is not usually necessary for infected persons who have no or hardly any symptoms. However, the cytomegalovirus remains in the body for life. It is therefore possible for cytomegaly to reappear later if the immune system is weakened. Treatment will then still be necessary.
In people with a weakened immune system, cytomegaly is treated with so-called antivirals. These inhibit the multiplication of the cytomegalovirus in the body's cells.
The drugs used here include those with the active ingredients
In addition, the symptoms caused by cytomegaly also require treatment.
Infected pregnant women are treated with the so-called CMV immunoglobulin. This is a drug with special antibodies against the cytomegalovirus.
A complete cure of cytomegaly is not possible, as the causative viruses, like all herpes viruses, remain in the body for life. After an initial infection with the cytomegalovirus, it is therefore always possible to fall ill again.
The prognosis and the course of cytomegaly depend on how well the patient's immune defense works. Otherwise healthy people with an intact immune system usually have no severe symptoms.
In people with a weakened immune system at the time of the initial infection, several organs can be affected by cytomegaly at the same time. This can result in a severe and sometimes fatal course.
There is currently no preventive vaccination against the virus that causes cytomegaly.
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