Cytomegalovirus and herpes
Over the past decades, the herpes family of cytomegalovirus has become more common. This infection is characterized by inflammation of the salivary glands. Infection often occurs through kissing, unprotected sexual intercourse, and also through airborne contact. This viral infection is often asymptomatic. It is similar to typical cold sores on the skin. In addition, such an unpleasant disease is characterized by an increase in temperature and a prolonged course.
Cytomegalovirus provokes the development of many severe disorders of the central nervous system and various internal organs. This virus is especially insidious in its latent form. As a rule, a person is not worried about the signs of the disease, which does not allow starting timely treatment. The herpes virus affects the salivary glands, it is in them that it remains until the end of a person's life. It should be noted that antibodies to it can be detected in approximately 15% of adolescents, in 35-year-olds and older, the indicator is 40%.
For infection with cytomegalovirus, prolonged communication with the carrier is required, as well as reduced immunity or the presence of acute respiratory diseases. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as by the exchange of fluids. During pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus transplacentally, which negatively affects the development of the baby. There are also known cases of infection of a child during childbirth. This herpes virus is transmitted through blood transfusion or through intercourse with semen.
It is believed that the risk group includes many people with rather weak immune systems, numerous patients after a blood transfusion or organ transplant, as well as having unprotected sex with different partners.
Immediately after entering the bloodstream, cytomegalovirus stimulates the activity of immune responses. The synthesis of protein protective antibodies is noted, which include special immunoglobulins M and G. Then, the cellular antiviral reaction is activated with the necessary formation of lymphocytes. If a person is not in good health, then a number of unpleasant symptoms arise. With a strong immune system, there may be no signs of infection. However, even in the absence of symptoms, the person is considered contagious.
When diagnosed, specialists can identify enlarged affected cells that are visible under a microscope. It should be mentioned that when this virus enters the human body, many cells of organs such as eyes, kidneys and ears are seriously damaged. Moreover, the nervous system, salivary glands and gastrointestinal tract are affected.
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Like herpes, cytomegalovirus is extremely dangerous for pregnant women and young children. Today, eight types of viruses from this group are considered very dangerous, which, when infected, remain in the human body forever. Even with the correct antiviral therapy, it is not possible to destroy cytomegalovirus. Only strong immunity can give a worthy rebuff to this dangerous infection, holding back the multiplication of viruses.
It should be noted that the virus of special genital herpes also enters the human body during unprotected sexual intercourse. Like cytomegalovirus, it affects the mucous membranes, causing severe inflammation with the characteristic features of typical skin rashes. The virus enters all the nerve nodes along the nerve endings, periodically being in remission or causing relapses of the disease.
Antibodies can only be produced with sufficiently good immunity. After about a month, the defenders of the immune system drive the viruses into the nerve endings, where they remain forever. It is believed that cytomegalovirus, which belongs to herpes viruses of the fifth type, is less active, but it is still impossible to get rid of it forever.
Affecting the most sensitive epithelial cells, which include the salivary glands, kidneys and cervical canal, it can be inactive for a long time. Thus, the disease is latent. The main danger is that cytomegalovirus, like herpes, from time to time provokes the appearance of recurrent blistering rashes, which are often accompanied by itching and mild pain.
The main goal of prevention is to prevent frequent relapses, for which it is necessary to constantly maintain a high level of immunity. Avoid sexual intercourse with different partners, avoid common colds, and live a healthy lifestyle. For those who wish to conceive a child, it is necessary to first undergo an examination for the presence of cytomegalovirus and herpes.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
