Cytomegalovirus in children. Symptoms and treatment of cytomegalovirus in children

Cytomegalovirus is a relative of ordinary herpes. He, since most viruses live in the body and does not manifest itself in any way, but with a decrease in immunity, makes itself felt. Most often, infection is sexually or intrauterine.

Content

Causes of cytomegalovirus in children

Most often, the ailment is manifested in babies immediately after birth, although if the mother’s infection occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus does not survive and the pregnancy ends with a miscarriage.

The reasons for the appearance of cytomegalovirus in children:

Through the birth paths of the mother during childbirth
In the womb, when the mother is infected with the virus, being pregnant. This option is the worst thing, since the virus affects the nerve cells and internal organs of the child
Through saliva and other biological fluids. It can be in kindergarten or school, because children often come into contact with each other
Through breast milk. This is also a biological fluid through which the virus can be transmitted
Non -compliance with hygiene rules. Kids in the garden should wash their hands, use individual pots and utensils

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus in children

In newborns and older children, symptoms may vary.

Symptoms in newborns:

Continuity
Jaundice
Decrease in hearing and vision
Unexplored sucking reflex. A child can give up a chest and bottles. It is forced to feed through the probe
Increase in the liver and spleen

If the child does not have these symptoms, this does not mean that there is no virus. Perhaps it will appear in the first 10 years of life. Most often, this is a violation of teeth growth, hearing loss, and development lag.

Antibodies to cytomegalovirus in a child

After the fence of venous blood, you will get two results:

IgM. When identifying such cells in the body, we can conclude that the child has recently infected the virus and now it is in active form. Most likely, symptoms of infection are observed
Igg. These are also antibodies to the virus, but they have a smaller size. Appear a month after the child is ill

Polymerase reaction results table:

Positive IgG, negative IgM - remission of chronic CMV
Positive IGM, positive IgG - exacerbation of infection or infection has recently occurred
Positive IGM, negative IgG - infection has just got into the body
Negative antibodies - lack of infection

Cytomegalovirus standards in children

If an IgG is found in a child, this does not mean that he is sick. This result is evidence of the carriage of the virus. The acute phase of the disease can be discussed if IgM is detected. It is necessary that with the form of the test results, the laboratory gives out the norms of these immunoglobulins. Otherwise, even the doctor will not be able to determine the infection or not.

What to do if a child has a cytomegalovirus?

It all depends on the phase of the disease. If the primary infection is detected, treatment with antiviral drugs is necessary. If only IgG is found, then a specific treatment is not necessary. It is necessary to try to strengthen the baby's body so that infection does not turn into an active phase.

Cytomegalovirus in infants

This is the most difficult case. The fact is that with intrauterine infection of the virus cells penetrate all systems and organs. Accordingly, the consequences can be deplorable.

Manifestations of cytomegalovirus in infants:

Jaundice, liver and spleen damage
Encephalus
Hemorrhagic syndrome
Pneumania and bronchitis

The saddest thing is that after the attenuation of a crumb, the crumbs can lag behind in development due to reduced hearing and vision.

Analysis for cytomegalovirus in a child, decoding

Determination of the presence of a virus can be carried out in different ways. The most accurate is PCR.

Types of Diagnosis of CMV:

Cytological
Virusological
Immunological
Molecular biological

The most accurate is the immunological method. It gives results in the form of IgM and IgG.

How to treat cytomegalovirus in children?

If this is a baby and there is an exacerbation in the form of pneumonia, jaundice or bronchitis, then the disease itself is treated. Antiviral drugs can be prescribed. If the age of the child allows, immunomodulators are introduced. But most often, after the virus goes into a latent state, the immunity is strengthened:

Hardening
Introduction of vitamins in spring and autumn
Frequent walks
Physical exercises

If your child is healthy, then cytomegalovirus may not show itself.

The consequences of cytomegalovirus in children

Most should be worried about newborns and babies up to 5 years. It is before this age that the answer of the immune system is inadequate and the virus can cause undesirable consequences.

If infection occurred in the womb in the early stages, then the baby can be born with heart defects and disorders in the work of internal organs. Encephalus and diseases of the stomach are often observed
If the baby is infected in the late pregnancy, then it occurs after the birth of jaundice and pneumonia. Perhaps the appearance of a rash
When infected in 1 year, the salivary glands can be observed. There may be a lag in development and cramps
With normal immunity, no symptoms are observed. Therefore, strengthen the health of the child

How is cytomegalovirus transmitted in children?

This virus, like herpes, is transmitted in everyday life. A child can become infected in contact with saliva, urine or infected tears. Accordingly, in children's institutions it is necessary to pay a lot of attention to hygiene.

What to do. If a child has a cytomegalovirus: tips and reviews

Do not rush to panic, this is not a sentence. When strengthening immunity, the disease may not show itself. There are cases when a person learns about infection in adulthood. In most children, infection with a virus is often confused with a cold.

With exacerbation, such drugs are prescribed:

Acyclovir. This medicine is active in relation to the herpes virus
Isoprinosine. Antiviral drug that destroys the membrane in the virus cells
Lycopid. Immunostimulator to stimulate interferon synthesis

As you can see, the CMV is dangerous, only in case of intrauterine infection in the early and late pregnancy. When infecting children over 5 years old, no symptoms are observed.