Cytomegalovirus is a genus of viruses in the herpesvirus family. This virus is quite common, today cytomegalovirus antibodies can be found in about 10-15% of adolescents, and in 40% of adults. Unfortunately, it is not possible to recognize the presence of cytomegalovirus immediately – this disease has an incubation period that can last up to 60 days. During this period, the disease may not manifest itself in any way, but after that there will definitely be an unexpected and sharp outbreak, which in most cases can be provoked by stress, hypothermia or a general decrease in the immune system. Unfortunately, quite often cytomegalovirus is confused with such ailments as acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, since this virus is quite similar in its symptoms: body temperature rises, headache appears, and general weakness. If cytomegalovirus is not recognized in time, the consequences can be more than serious: pneumonia, arthritis, encephalitis, etc.
What is cytomegalovirus?
Cytomegalovirus is a microorganism from the genus of herpes viruses, which, penetrating into the cells of the human body, makes them work for itself, turning them into a kind of incubator for its particles. From Greek, the name of the virus is translated as “virus that increases cells.” It received this name because the human cells infected by it have an enlarged nucleus, due to the fact that parasitic cytomegalovirus cells multiply in it. In this case, the nucleus of such a cell becomes similar to an owl’s eye.
For most people, cytomegalovirus is not dangerous. Infection occurs through various types of contact, after which the immune system suppresses the virus, putting it into a dormant state. Like most viruses of the herpes genus (chickenpox, herpes), cytomegalovirus “hides” in the nerve nodes of the sacral plexus, remaining in this state until the carrier’s immunity decreases.
At the same time, a number of states that a person can fall into can make him vulnerable when he enters the human body. Then specific treatment will be needed, which will be directed to several links in the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus. We will talk about how to diagnose and treat this infection below.
[Video] Dr. Petrik – The whole truth about the disease, diagnosis and treatment: