Understanding CMV Infection: Symptoms and Risks | Encyclopedia AU

Image credit: parentingpatch.com

What are the symptoms of CMV?

CMV pneumonitis ( shortness of breath, cough, muscle aches, weakness). CMV retinitis (blurry vision or loss of vision). CMV gastritis or colitis (stomach pain, blood in your poop, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). CMV encephalitis (seizures, headaches, confusion).

Is CMV a herpes virus?

CMV is a type of herpesvirus (herpesvirus type 5). Blood tests show that 50 to 90% of adults have had a CMV infection at some time. CMV may cause symptoms soon after infection. Also, it remains dormant (inactive) in various tissues for life. Various stimuli can reactivate the dormant CMV, resulting in virus growth which can sometimes cause disease.

What is congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

Cytomegalovirus (pronounced sy-toe-MEG-a-low-vy-rus), or CMV, is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Over half of adults have been infected with CMV by age 40. Most people infected with CMV show no signs or symptoms. When a baby is born with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, it is called congenital CMV.

What are the symptoms of a CMV infection?

Symptoms may vary depending on which organ is affected, but generally a person with CMV will experience lethargy, a high temperature and a drop in white blood cell levels. For most people, a CMV infection poses no real health threat. The symptoms are generally mild and flu-like, although some may feel unwell for a few weeks, rather than a few days.

How common is CMV infection?

Prevalence increases with age; 50 to 90% of adults have CMV infection (resulting in lifelong latent infection) ( 1 ). Lower socioeconomic groups tend to have a higher prevalence. Congenital CMV infection may be asymptomatic or may cause abortion, stillbirth, or postnatal death.

What happens if a person gets a CMV infection?

Once a person becomes infected, the virus may remain dormant in their body for life (latent infection). Recurrent disease rarely occurs unless the person's immune system is suppressed due to therapeutic drugs or disease. There is no vaccine available to protect against CMV infection.

What Is CMV Infection

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cytomegalovirus-cmv
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21166-cytomegalovirus
4. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/cytomegalovirus-infection
5. https://www.cdc.gov/cmv/overview.html
6. https://www.cmv.org.au/what-is-cmv/
7. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/herpesvirus-infections/cytomegalovirus-cmv-infection
8. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cytomegalovirus-cmv/

CMV Infection Information

1. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cytomegalovirus-cmv
2. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/cmv-and-pregnancy.aspx
3. https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/infectious-diseases/herpesviruses/cytomegalovirus-cmv-infection