CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV)

Overview & Facts

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can infect almost anyone. The virus retains in the body after exposure.  Most healthy people are unaware that they already have the virus because it rarely causes problems with them.

There is no cure for CMV. The virus is spread from person to person through body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen and breast milk. There’s no cure for the virus.

People who are at high risk are:

  • Newborns infected with CMV before birth (congenital CMV).
  • Infants who become infected during birth or shortly afterward (perinatal CMV). This group includes babies infected through breast milk.
  • People with weakened immune systems, for example due to organ transplant or HIV infection.

Types & Symptoms

Common symptoms may include:

For Babies

  • Hearing Loss
  • Developmental Delay
  • Premature Birth
  • Low Birth Weight
  • Yellow Skin and Eyes (Jaundice)
  • Enlarged and Poorly Functioning Liver
  • Purple Skin Splotches or a Rash or Both
  • Abnormally Small Head (Microencephaly)
  • Enlarged Spleen
  • Pneumonia
  • Seizures

For People with Weakened Immunity

You might experience more-serious signs and symptoms that affects your:

  • Eyes
  • Lungs
  • Liver
  • Esophagus
  • Stomach
  • Intestines
  • Brain

Otherwise Healthy Adults

Some adults may have symptoms similar to infectious mononucleosis, including:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose CMV virus, laboratory tests are needed such as:

  • Blood tests
  • Tissue samples tests

 

TREATMENT

In general, treatment isn’t necessary for healthy children and adults. Healthy adults who develop CMV mononucleosis generally recover without medication.

But newborns and people with compromised immune systems need treatment when they’re having signs and symptoms of CMV infection needs to be treated to avoid further complications. The type of treatment depends on the signs and symptoms and their severity.

The most common treatment is antiviral medications. They can slow reproduction of the virus, but can’t eliminate it.

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