Transmission during pregnancy can cause congenital infection with serious consequences. There is no vaccine, but prevention is possible with simple hygiene measures.
In the international month of sensitization for cytomegalovirus, experts warn thatAnd a pregnant woman is infected for the first time, or has a reactivation of the already latent virus in the body, there is a risk that the baby is born with a congenital infection.
I estimate that 40% to 80% of people worldwide are chronically infected with cytomegalovirusesa herpes family virus that usually does not cause symptoms in healthy people, but it is a common cause of hearing loss and other congenital defects which damage the organs when transmitted from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy.
Without vaccine, prevention undergoes basic care
The deafness associated with cytomegalovirusIt may be present at birth or manifest itself throughout childhood. In the most severe cases, congenital infection can still cause central nervous and eye system injuries.
Currently there is no vaccine against the cytomegalovirus. The infection can, however, be prevented through SIMPLE HYGIENE MEASURESespecially for pregnant women who are in frequent contact with children – such as children’s professionals, hospitals or health centers – or who have small children.
According to Luísa Monteiro, the virus can be transmitted asymptomatic through the urine or saliva of infected children. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women avoid sharing food or utensils and carefully wash their hands after changing diapers.
If the infection is detected at birth, it is possible Treat the baby with an oral antiviral, administered for six months. This treatment may mitigate complications associated with infection.
Surveillance before and during pregnancy, with blood analysis, allows you to detect a recent infection or the reactivation of the virus, which, unlike rubella, does not give lasting immunity.
