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Please note: This information was as
current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is
always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For
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An article on this topic is available in this issue of
AFP.
Cytomegalovirus
What is cytomegalovirus?
Cytomegalovirus (say: "si-toe-meg-ah-low-vi-russ") or CMV is a virus that infects cells and causes them to become enlarged. Many people are infected with CMV and don't even know it. People are usually infected by the time they are two years old or during their teenaged years. CMV usually causes no long-term problems. However, CMV can cause problems in a newborn if the mother gets the infection during pregnancy.
CMV is only spread through contact with an infected person's body fluids (such as saliva, blood, urine, semen, or breast milk). It can also be sexually transmitted. Careful handwashing with soap and water can help prevent the spread of CMV.
What are the symptoms of CMV?
Usually, there are no symptoms. A few people will have symptoms that are similar to mononucleosis (such as a sore throat, fever, headache, and being tired). People who have weakened immune systems because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or because they received an organ transplant may have severe symptoms.
How will my doctor know if I have CMV?
Because usually there are no symptoms, your doctor won't know that you have CMV. If you do have symptoms, your doctor may test your blood to look for CMV. People who have HIV should be seen by an eye doctor as recommended by their doctor to make sure the virus hasn't infected their eyes. Also, people with HIV should let their doctor know if they are having any painless blurring of their vision, "floaters" only in one eye, light flashes, areas of blindness, and shortness of breath.
Is there a treatment for CMV?
There is no vaccine for CMV. Because CMV is a virus, antibiotics won't work. If your body's immune system is normal, your body should be able to control the infection. If your immune system is weakened, your doctor may use one of several different medicines to treat CMV infection.
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Telephone: 1-800-311-3435
- Web address: www.cdc.gov
This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.
Copyright © 2003 by the American Academy of Family
Physicians.
Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for
nonprofit educational uses. Written permission is required for all other uses,
including electronic uses.
