Cytomegalovirus IgG positive, what does it mean?

One of the most common viral diseases today is cytomegalovirus. About 90% of the population is infected with it. It belongs to the family of herpesviruses. This disease is mainly latent, but under certain conditions it can end up lethal.

Usually a person is infected with cytomegalovirus up to 12 years. The disease is hidden and he does not even know that he has it. However, with a significant decrease in immunity, it can become more active and affect various organs and cause serious complications, even to death.

The danger exists for people who have undergone organ transplants. A person with immunodeficiency or HIV is at risk.

But especially dangerous is cytomegalovirus during child bearing. During pregnancy, immunity decreases, so the disease may become more active. But the most dangerous is primary infection.

In this case, the probability of infection of the fetus is high, which can lead to its pathologies and even death. The severity of the consequences depends on the period at which it occurred.

Infect the child and can give birth and breastfeeding. However, if he is full, then usually this does not lead to any consequences. A large percentage of children are infected with cytomegalovirus in the first six months of life.

Today he is diagnosed mainly by the method of ELISA and PCR. In the first case, the presence of antibodies in the blood, that is, the response of the body's immune system to infection, is determined. If the cytomegalovirus IgG is positive in humans, more than 3 weeks have passed since the initial infection. If the IgG titer exceeds the norm more than 4 times, then this may indicate the activation of the virus.

This, as well as primary infection indicates an increased number of antibodies IgM. Usually check the concentration of these two immunoglobulins. Then the results can be interpreted as follows:

• IgG (+), IgM (-) - the virus is asleep;

• IgG (+), IgM (+) - activation of the virus, or recent infection;

• IgG (-), IgM (+) - recent infection (less than 3 weeks);

• IgG (-), IgM (-) - there is no infection.

Cytomegalovirus IgG norm (in megaculum / ml):

• More than 1,1 - positive;

• Less than 0,9 - negative.

The PCR method allows detecting the virus in saliva, sperm, urine, vaginal discharge and cervix. The appearance of it in these liquids indicates the primary infection or activation of the virus. PCR is a very high-sensitivity method, it allows to detect even one DNA in the preparation.

Cytomegalovirus belongs to the group of TORCH-infections. It also includes herpes, toxoplasmosis, rubella, recently there have been added chlamydia. This infection combines the fact that they are very dangerous for the fetus. They can lead to serious pathologies and even death.

Therefore, all women who want to get pregnant, it is recommended to pass the analysis on TORCH. If the cytomegalovirus IgG is positive before conception with negative IgM - this is good, as it excludes primary infection during the gestation of the baby.

If IgM is positive, then pregnancy should be postponed until the normalization of the titer. It is necessary to see a doctor, perhaps he will prescribe a treatment.

Women who have negative cytomegalovirus IgG and IgM should be extremely cautious during pregnancy, so as not to get infected. They should wash their hands well, do not contact children (especially not kiss them), if the husband is infected, then avoid intimate relationships with him and kissing.

Cytomegalovirus is transmitted by sexual, airborne and domestic routes. Infection occurs by contact with liquids (urine, saliva, sperm, secretions) in which it is contained.

Cytomegalovirus IgG is positive in 90% of the population. Therefore, when an adult receives such a result, it is more a norm than an exception.

The greatest number of people are infected at the age of 5-6 years. After infection, children can isolate the virus for a long time, so it is better for pregnant women without immunity to contact them.

Thus, cytomegalovirus IgG is positive in almost all adults. It is desirable that such a result was for women who want to conceive a baby in the near future. The probability of serious pathologies in the fetus during infection of the mother during pregnancy is 9%, and with the activation of the virus - only 0.1%.