Tag: viral infections

what are the symptoms of congenital CMV infection in infants?

Congenital CMV infection is a condition that can occur when a developing baby is infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) before birth. Most babies with congenital CMV never show signs or have health problems. However, some babies have health problems at birth or that develop later25.

Signs and Symptoms

About 10% of infants with congenital CMV infection will have health problems at birth, which include12:

  • Rash
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
  • Microcephaly (small head)
  • Low birth weight
  • Intrauterine growth restriction (low weight)
  • Hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen)
  • Seizures
  • Retinitis (damaged eye retina)

About 40 to 60% of infants born with signs of congenital CMV disease at birth will have long-term health problems, such as12:

  • Hearing loss
  • Vision loss
  • Intellectual disability
  • Microcephaly (small head)
  • Lack of coordination or weakness
  • Seizures

Some babies may have hearing loss that may or may not be detected by newborn hearing tests14. Inflammation of the retina, mineral deposits in the brain, and delayed physical movements are also possible symptoms8.

Diagnosis

Congenital CMV infection is diagnosed by detection of CMV DNA in the urine, saliva (preferred specimens), or blood, within three weeks after birth1.In conclusion, congenital CMV infection can cause a range of symptoms in infants, including rash, jaundice, microcephaly, low birth weight, seizures, and vision and hearing loss. Some babies may not show symptoms at birth but may develop long-term health problems later. Congenital CMV infection is diagnosed by detection of CMV DNA in the urine, saliva, or blood within three weeks after birth.

itations:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/cmv/clinical/congenital-cmv.html
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/cmv/congenital-infection.html
[3] https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/congenital-cytomegalovirus
[4] https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contentid=p02351&contenttypeid=90
[5] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Cytomegalovirus-CMV-Infections.aspx
[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541003/
[8] https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/congenital-cytomegalovirus
[9] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cytomegalovirus.html

what are the risk factors for CMV infection during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, there are several risk factors associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. These include:

  1. Close Contact with Young Children: For pregnant women who have close contact with young children, especially those in daycare or preschool settings, there is an increased risk of CMV infection. This is because young children often have higher levels of CMV in their saliva and urine.
  2. Occupational Exposure: Women who work in environments where they come into contact with bodily fluids, such as healthcare settings or daycare centers, have a higher risk of CMV infection.
  3. Sexual Contact: CMV can be transmitted through sexual activity, so having multiple sexual partners or having a partner with a history of CMV infection can increase the risk.
  4. Blood Transfusions and Organ Transplants: If a pregnant woman receives a blood transfusion or an organ transplant, there is a risk of CMV transmission if the donor has the virus.
  5. Poor Hygiene Practices: CMV can be spread through close personal contact, such as sharing utensils, food, or drinks with an infected person. Poor hygiene practices can increase the risk of contracting CMV during pregnancy.

It is important for pregnant women to practice good hygiene, especially when it comes to handwashing and avoiding contact with individuals who have symptoms of an active CMV infection. If you have concerns about CMV infection during pregnancy, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider for further guidance and information.

How common is CMV infection and how is it transmitted?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common viral infection caused by the cytomegalovirus. It can affect people of all ages, but usually doesn’t cause symptoms in healthy individuals. However, it can cause serious health problems in people with weakened immune systems and in babies infected during pregnancy.

CMV infection is quite common, with estimates suggesting that more than half of adults in the United States have been infected by the age of 40. It is transmitted through various routes, including close contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, breast milk, and sexual contact. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

In most cases, CMV infection doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, some people may experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen glands. In individuals with weakened immune systems, CMV can cause more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, liver problems, and vision loss.

CMV infection during pregnancy can be concerning, as the virus can be transmitted to the developing fetus. This is known as congenital CMV infection. While most babies born with CMV do not experience any long-term health problems, some may develop hearing or vision loss, developmental delays, or other complications.

Testing for CMV during pregnancy is not routine, as the majority of pregnant women who are infected with CMV will have healthy babies. However, in certain cases, if there are symptoms or concerns, doctors may order specific tests to detect CMV in the mother’s blood or urine, or in the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.

The diagnosis of CMV infection is typically made through laboratory tests, which can detect the presence of the virus in bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or saliva. These tests may include blood antibody tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, antigen tests, or viral culture.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation, testing, and guidance if you suspect a CMV infection or have concerns related to CMV during pregnancy.

When should you lower your temperature if you have a fever?

Fever is a natural and necessary bodily reaction, but it frequently necessitates the use of antipyretics and home temperature-lowering methods. Young children are particularly vulnerable to its side effects, such as febrile convulsions.

The body’s natural response to inflammation is fever. According to the definition, it is an elevation in body temperature exceeding usual daily oscillations (body temperature may fluctuate slightly during the day). 

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

A fever is defined as a body temperature of 38°C or above. We also identify low-grade fever, which occurs when the body temperature is 37-38°C, moderate fever, which occurs when the body temperature is 38-39°C, and high fever, which occurs when the body temperature exceeds 39°C.

Causes of fever

Fever can arise as a result of viral or non-infectious disorders, such as medication fever (for example, following vaccines) or autoimmune (inflammatory) and cancer diseases. However, it is more commonly a sign of infections such as colds, flu, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections.

Normal body temperature

The normal body temperature is 36.6°C, but it can fluctuate due to physical activity, menstrual cycle, and time of day. A child’s normal body temperature is 36.4-37°C, but if it is checked by rectal measurement, subtract half a degree (5 lines) to get the correct result.

At the same time, an increase in temperature in youngsters due to exercise or emotions does not usually indicate an infection. Then wait a while and measure again.

How soon should you treat a fever? What medications should you use?

A mild fever might be beneficial to the body. It increases the activity of immune cells, which travel to the site of inflammation and aid in the elimination of the pathogenic agent.

In the case of moderate fever, we do not need to deliver an antipyretic medicine if the patient feels good despite the elevated temperature (no chills, not extremely weak). It’s worthwhile to let her do her job. In the case of a high fever, we should absolutely lower the temperature, because a rise in body temperature above 41 ° C poses a risk of protein damage.

Effective and recommended drugs in lowering fever are:

  • paracetamol ,
  • medicines from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid).

Body weight is a factor in determining the dosage of paracetamol for fever. An adult should take 500-1000 mg of paracetamol 3-4 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 4 g. (8 tablets of 500 mg per day).

Ibuprofen for fever is also given in weight-based doses. It is advised that individuals take 200-400 mg every 4 hours. The drug’s maximum daily dose is 1200 mg.


Children should be given an antipyretic if even a mild fever makes them feel ill. Be especially cautious with the younger patients, since they are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of high temperatures (such as febrile convulsions ). Wait no longer than necessary before lowering the higher temperature.

Home remedies for fever

Fever can be effectively treated using home treatments. They frequently supplement pharmacological action and are indispensable when pharmaceuticals have not yet begun to operate and a rapid drop in body temperature is required. The following are the finest natural fever remedies:

  • compresses (on the forehead, nape, neck, groin) with a towel soaked in cool water at room temperature, they should be repeated every 1-2 hours,
  • bathing in water 1°C lower than body temperature,
  • lowering the temperature in the room to 20°C,
  • giving plenty of fluids , e.g. herbal teas with diaphoretic and antipyretic properties.

Linden or elderflower tea, raspberry juice, honey, yarrow herb, and willow bark preparations have a diaphoretic effect, cooling the body naturally through sweating.

What to eat during a fever?

The body requires energy to fight the sickness during a fever, so it should not be wasted on digestion. If the patient has an appetite, it is best to feed him short, easily digestible meals, such as oats, vegetable soups, and rice.


Fever in children and dehydration

The most important idea is to monitor a child’s fever quickly and administer an antipyretic drug if necessary to prevent dehydration.

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  • nfrequent urination,
  • dark circles under the eyes,
  • irritability or drowsiness
  • reduced skin elasticity,
  • increased thirst or, on the contrary, lack of thirst and appetite.