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CMV and humans: Do you know how this virus affects babies' health?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV for short) is a virus commonly found in humans, belonging to the family Herpesviridae, and is crucial to the health of infants. CMV infection is common worldwide and most adults will be infected with the virus during their lifetime; however, the risk of transmission to the fetus in pregnant women is an important issue for maternal and child health.
CMV is one of the leading causes of congenital diseases, including hearing loss and motor impairment.
CMV is spread mainly through contact with an infected person’s body fluids, such as saliva, urine, and genital secretions. This means that once a pregnant woman is infected, CMV may be passed to her unborn baby through the placenta. According to statistics, about 1% to 2% of newborns will be infected with congenital CMV. These babies may face long-term health problems such as delayed speech development, vision impairment, and other developmental issues.
Characteristics and effects of cytomegalovirus
CMV belongs to the betaherpesvirus subfamily. Similar to other herpes viruses, CMV is characterized by its ability to lie dormant in the host for a long time. Once infected, CMV can hide in host cells and reactivate when the immune system or other factors influence it. This property makes CMV particularly problematic in people with compromised immune systems or the elderly.
Research shows that babies born with congenital CMV infection may experience health challenges at all stages of their lives.
In infants, CMV infection may manifest as hearing loss, which is one of the most common sequelae. In addition, some infected infants may also develop microcephaly, hepatosplenomegaly and other problems. The medical community generally believes that the formation of these health problems is related to the direct damage caused by the virus to the fetal development process.
Diagnosis and prevention of CMV infection
Early diagnosis is critical to reducing the impact of CMV infection on babies. Typically, doctors may recommend a maternal blood test to detect CMV antibodies, or hearing screening and viral testing in newborns. If caught early, medical intervention can help improve the baby's quality of life and future development.
There is currently no specific drug that can cure CMV, but there are antiviral drugs that can be used to treat severe infections.
For prevention, pregnant women should pay attention to personal hygiene, especially when taking care of children, as this is an effective way to avoid the transmission of CMV to the fetus. In addition, maintaining good living habits and a strong immune system are also important factors in reducing the risk of infection.
New progress in medical research
With the advancement of science and technology, a large number of studies have been carried out to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic structure of CMV and the mechanism of its impact on fetal health. These studies will not only help develop more effective diagnostic tools, but may also lead to progress in the development of a vaccine against CMV in the hope of preventing the spread of this virus and its consequences in the future.
Understanding the mechanism of action of CMV will be the key to reducing its health risks to infants.
Although the current understanding of CMV has deepened, there are still many unknowns worthy of further exploration. The challenge facing the medical community and researchers is how to fundamentally find effective countermeasures to deal with the impact of this virus on maternal and child health. As more research continues, we look forward to more discoveries in the future that will help improve the outlook for those newborns infected with CMV.
Since CMV has such a profound impact on babies, how can we, as parents, improve our understanding of this virus and ensure future health?
