Microbicide & Safe Sex (3)

Chlamydia
Click here to learn about Chlamydia and click here to learn about Chlamydia Home Test.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus.
CMV is part of the herpes family of viruses. As with most other herpes-type viruses, once you are infected with CMV, it will remain inactive in your body for the rest of your life. CMV causes few symptoms in most people.

CMV is spread through bodily fluids, such as saliva and urine. It can be passed on through close bodily contact. For example, the infection can be found in small droplets of saliva which are spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Unlike many viral infections, CMV usually causes few if any symptoms. Most people do not know they have (acquired) an infection.

The symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) differ depending on whether you have:
- primary CMV - where someone develops a CMV infection for the first time
- re-infection with CMV - an infection with a different strain of virus
- reoccurring CMV - a previously inactive CMV infection is reactivated, often because the immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness) is weakened
- congenital CMV - a CMV infection develops when a woman is pregnant and infects the unborn baby

Primary CMV
Most cases of primary CMV cause no noticeable symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they will be similar to flu symptoms and can include:
- a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
- extreme tiredness
- sore throat
- swollen glands
- muscle and joint pain
- loss of appetite

These symptoms should only last for a couple of weeks.

Re-infection with CMV
If you are re-infected with a different strain of the CMV virus, you may not have any symptoms, or you may have symptoms that are similar to a primary CMV infection (see above).

Reoccurring CMV
If CMV reoccurs in healthy people, including during pregnancy, it will cause few if any symptoms.
A CMV infection that reoccurs due to a weakened immune system can cause a wide range of symptoms. This is because the virus can quickly spread throughout the body, causing damage to one or more of your organs. In particular, damage can be done to the digestive system, lungs and eyes.

Symptoms of reoccurring CMV include:
- a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
- diarrhea
- shortness of breath
- large painful ulcers in your mouth and oesophagus (gullet)
- visual disturbances, such as blind spots, blurring and floaters (a black spot or "web" that appears to be - - - floating in your field of vision)
- pneumonia - inflammation (swelling) of the tissue in your lungs
- retinitis - inflammation of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of your eyes
- hepatitis - inflammation of the liver
- If you have a weakened immune system and have one or more of the symptoms above, contact your GP or treatment team immediately.

Congenital CMV
Around 9 out of 10 babies born with congenital CMV experience no symptoms at birth. This is known as an asymptomatic congenital CMV infection.

A small number of babies with asymptomatic congenital CMV may develop some degree of hearing loss over their first few years of life. Loss of hearing can range from mild to total.
The hearing problems can affect just one ear (unilateral hearing loss) or can cause problems in both ears (bilateral hearing loss). Children with bilateral hearing loss are likely to experience difficulties with speech and communication as they get older.

Symptoms at birth
One in 10 babies born with congenital CMV have symptoms at birth, including:
- jaundice - yellow-coloured skin and yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- pneumonia
- a rash of small, purplish spots
- an enlarged liver and spleen
- low birth weight
- seizures (fits)

While some of these symptoms can be treated, some babies will develop long-term conditions as a result of the infection. Up to 9 out of 10 babies born with congenital CMV who have symptoms at birth will develop one or more physical or mental disabilities. These include:
hearing loss
visual impairment
blindness
learning difficulties
lack of physical co-ordination
epilepsy - a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated seizures

Prevention
Careful hygiene is the best prevention against CMV. Health care workers have the greatest opportunity for exposure, but because of precautions used in the health care setting, their risk of acquiring the disease is very low.

You can take these precautions to help prevent CMV infection:
- Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds, especially if you have contact with young children or their diapers, drool or other oral secretions. This is especially important if the children attend child care.

- Avoid contact with tears and saliva when you kiss a child. Instead of kissing a child on the lips, for instance, give a kiss on the forehead. This is especially important if you're pregnant.

- Avoid sharing food or drinking out of the same glass as others. Sharing glasses and kitchen utensils can spread the CMV virus.

- Be careful with disposable items. When disposing of diapers, tissues and other items that have been contaminated with bodily fluids, be careful not to touch your hands to your face until after thoroughly washing your hands.

- Practice safe sex. Wear a condom and/or microbicide during sexual contact to prevent spreading the CMV virus through semen and vaginal fluids.

- Vaccine. This is still in experimental stages.

- If you have a compromised immune system, you may benefit from taking antiviral medication to prevent CMV disease.