Cytomegalovirus (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Cytomegaloviral diseases, abbreviated as CMV, are more common in people with weak immune system. Many people can be asymptomatic carrier of the virus and get never affected by it. Thus,it can be seen the pregnant and newborn babies

Symptoms of CMV can be:

• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes:(lymph glands)
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite

Severe CMV:

• Blindness
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea
• Bleeding ulcers in the esophagus (windpipe) or intestines
• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• Seizures

CMV can get spread by body fluids, like saliva, blood, urine, semen (sexual contact) and breast milk. CMV can rarely be transmitted by blood transfusion or organ transplantation.

Cytomegaloviral diseases are more common in people with weak immune system. Many people can be asymptomatic carrier of the virus and get never affected by it. Thus,it can be seen the pregnant and newborn babies.

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and feel your belly area. The liver and spleen may be tender when they are gently pressed (palpated). There may be a skin rash.

Special lab tests may be done to check for substances in your blood that are produced by CMV. Other tests will be done to check your body’s response to the CMV infection. This includes a CMV ELISA antibody test and CMV serum PCR test.

Other tests include:

• Blood tests for platelets and white blood cells
• Chemistry panel
• Liver function tests
• Monospot test
• Stool sampling
• Colonoscopy

If you think you have the symptoms, call your doctor.

Antiviral drugs. If you are pregnant, your doctor may want to test you for CMV and may suggest the test amniocentesis.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cytomegalovirus

It depends on the immune level of the patient.

It can lead to the inflammation of eyes, abortion and can affect other organ systems.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cytomegalovirusinfections.html Template:WH Template:WS