Treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnancy should be done under the guidance of the obstetrician and the use of antiviral drugs or immunoglobulin injections is usually indicated. However, there is as yet no consensus on the treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnancy, so it is important to follow the guidelines of the obstetrician who accompanies the pregnancy.
Symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, inflammation, and armpit pain are usually not present, so it is important for the pregnant woman to have a blood test, which is included in prenatal routine exams, to assess whether she is or is not infected.
Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy can be transmitted to the baby through the placenta and at the time of birth, especially if the mother was infected for the first time in pregnancy and can cause problems such as premature birth, deafness, fetal malformations or mental retardation. In this case, the obstetrician may indicate that the pregnant woman performs an ultrasound and the amniocentesis to see if the baby is infected. See how cytomegalovirus affects pregnancy and baby.
During the prenatal period, it is possible to detect if the infected baby already has a problem still inside the mother's belly, such as enlargement of the liver and spleen, microcephaly, changes in the nervous system or brain problems.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment for cytomegalovirus in pregnancy is aimed at relieving symptoms and reducing the burden of the virus in the pregnant woman's bloodstream. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or valaciclovir, or immunoglobulin injections, are usually recommended. From the completion of the treatment recommended by the obstetrician, it is also possible to avoid the contamination of the baby.
In addition, even if the treatment has already been established, the woman must be accompanied by the obstetrician regularly to check her condition and the baby.
It is important that cytomegalovirus infection is identified as soon as possible, otherwise it may lead to premature birth or lead to malformations of the baby, such as deafness, mental retardation or epilepsy. Learn more about cytomegalovirus.
How to avoid infection in pregnancy
Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy can be prevented through some actions such as:
- Use condoms in sexual relationships;
- Avoid oral sex;
- Avoid sharing objects with other children;
- Avoid kissing small children in the mouth or cheek;
- Keep your hands always clean, especially after changing a baby's diapers.
Thus, it is possible to avoid infection by this virus. Usually the woman comes in contact with the virus before pregnancy, but the immune system responds positively, that is, it stimulates the production of antibodies, combats the infection by that virus and allows the woman to be immunized. Understand how the immune system works.
