Congenital syphilis (CS) is a disease that occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy.

Some STIs, such as syphilis, cross the placenta and infect the baby in the womb. Other STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes, can pass from the mother to the baby as the baby passes through the birth canal.

Down syndrome is an example of a condition caused by too many chromosomes. Because of an accident during cell division, individuals with Down syndrome have an extra copy of a particular chromosome (chromosome 21). This extra chromosome can cause a typical constellation of birth defects.

Some babies with congenital CMV infection have health problems that are apparent at birth or that develop later during infancy or childhood. In the most severe cases, CMV can cause the death of an unborn baby (pregnancy loss). Some babies with congenital CMV infection have signs at birth.

The age-adjusted years of potential life lost for all congenital CMV deaths was 56,355 years. The infant mortality rate associated with congenital CMV was 8.34 per 1 million infants annually (95% CI, 7.65–9.04).

Newborns may develop neurologic problems such as hearing loss. Handwashing can help prevent spread of the virus. Cytomegalovirus infection cannot be cured, but some antiviral drugs can limit the problems caused by infection.

Cytomegalovirus Outlook Your outlook depends on your overall health. In people who have strong immune systems, CMV symptoms almost always go away on their own. Congenital CMV can have lifelong effects. The risks are highest when the mother has their first CMV infection during a pregnancy.

Can congenital CMV be prevented?

1. wash hands often with soap and running water for at least 15 seconds and dry them thoroughly.
2. do not share food, drinks, eating utensils or toothbrushes with young children.
3. avoid contact with saliva when kissing a child.

Ganciclovir (Cytovene) is the first antiviral medication approved for the treatment of CMV infection. Ganciclovir, given intravenously, is the drug of choice for the treatment of CMV infection. Side effects include fever, rash, diarrhea, anemia, and low white blood cell and platelet counts.

Most healthy individuals who have a CMV infection will not have symptoms. However, when symptoms are present, they are often similar to those of glandular fever. Severity and duration can vary but, on average, will last for two to three weeks.

Most people with acquired CMV have no noticeable symptoms, but if symptoms do occur, they may include:

1. fever.
2. night sweats.
3. tiredness and uneasiness.
4. sore throat.
5. swollen glands.
6. joint and muscle pain.
7. low appetite and weight loss.

Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should be informed of these risks. To prevent or reduce workers’ cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection risk, employers should develop an infection control plan that addresses sources of CMV exposure and infection prevention measures.

5 Simple Tips to Help Prevent CMV

1. Do Not Share Food, Utensils, Drinks or Straws. Saliva may remain on food, cups or cutlery and could transfer a CMV infection to you and your unborn baby.
2. Do Not Put a Pacifier in Your Mouth.
3. Avoid Contact with Saliva when Kissing a Child.
4. Do Not Share a Toothbrush.
5. Wash Your Hands.

Babies who are infected with CMV before birth are at higher risk of several defects such as microcephaly (small head size), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), jaundice (yellow color of skin and eyes), anemia (low blood count), pneumonia, seizures, vision loss, and hearing loss and others.

Once infected, your body retains the virus for life. Most people don’t know they have CMV because it rarely causes problems in healthy people. If you’re pregnant or if your immune system is weakened, CMV is cause for concern.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are DNA viruses that cause serious health conditions in patients of all ages. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses causing genital infections and cancers. CMV is an opportunistic pathogen affecting immunocompromised patients.

When no IgM antibodies are present, but IgG antibodies are present, a person is CMV positive. This means that he/she has had a CMV infection in the past but does not have an acute infection. When IgM and IgG antibodies are present, there is an acute infection.