Cytomegalovirus and frequency therapy

Definition:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a widespread virus from the virus family. It infects people worldwide and remains in the body for life after the initial infection, usually inactive. CMV can be asymptomatic in healthy people, but can cause serious illness in immunocompromised people and newborns.

characteristics:

Herpes virus: CMV belongs to the same family as the herpes simplex virus and the varicella zoster virus.
Lifelong persistence: After the initial infection, the virus remains in the body in a latent form and can be reactivated if the immune system is weakened.

Transmission:

Body fluids: CMV is transmitted through saliva, urine, blood, tears, breast milk and sexual contact.
Mother-to-child transmission: During birth or through breast milk.
Organ transplantation: Transmission through infected donor organs or blood transfusions.

Symptoms:

In healthy adults, CMV infection is often asymptomatic or causes mild flu-like symptoms such as:

Fever
Tiredness
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes

In immunocompromised individuals (e.g. -infected persons, organ transplant recipients) and newborns, CMV can cause serious illnesses, including

Pneumonia
Hepatitis
Retinitis (inflammation of the retina)
CNS diseases such as encephalitis
Developmental disorders and hearing loss in newborns

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is made by detecting CMV antibodies in the blood, PCR tests to detect viral DNA or by virus isolation from body fluids.

Treatment:

Antiviral drugs: ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir are used to treat severe CMV infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Symptomatic treatment: alleviation of symptoms in mild infections.

Prevention:

Hygiene measures: Regular hand washing and avoidance of sharing personal items.
Screening: Testing blood and organ donors for CMV.
Prophylaxis: Antiviral prophylaxis for high-risk patients, e.g. after organ transplants.

Worth knowing:

CMV is spread worldwide and most people become infected with the virus at some point in their lives.
In healthy people, the virus usually remains inactive and does not cause any problems.

Research:

Research on CMV is focused on developing vaccines, improving antiviral therapies and understanding the mechanisms that lead to severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.