Cytomegalovirus Infection - Symptoms & Treatment

Cytomegalovirus(CMV) is a common virus that infects most people worldwide.CMV is found worldwide. The virus is carried by people and is not associated with food, water, or animals. CMV infection is usually harmless and rarely causes illness. CMV is a member of the herpes virus group that is characterized by the ability to remain dormant within the body over a long period. CMV can be spread by any close contact that allows infected body fluids to pass to another person. CMV can spread in households and child-care centers through hand-to-mouth contact with infected body fluids. CMV can spread by sexual contact, blood transfusions, organ transplants, and breastfeeding. CMV can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus or newborn. If a person's immune system is seriously weakened in any way, the virus can become active and cause CMV disease. CMV infection is usually harmless and rarely causes illness.

Cytomegalovirus is a member of the herpesvirus family. Other members of the herpesvirus family cause chickenpox, infectious mononucleosis, fever blisters, and genital herpes.These viruses all share the ability to remain alive, but dormant, in the body for life. The virus continues to live in the body silently without causing obvious damage or illness. It rarely becomes active for the first time or reactivates (causes illness again in the same person) unless the immune system weakens and is no longer able to hold the virus in check.CMV can be spread by any close contact that allows infected body fluids to pass to another person. CMV can spread in households and child-care centers through hand-to-mouth contact with infected body fluids. CMV can spread by sexual contact, blood transfusions, organ transplants, and breastfeeding. CMV can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus or newborn.

Causes of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Common causes of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Herpesvirus.
Fever blisters.
Genital herpes.

Symptoms of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Common Symptoms of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Nausea.
Vomiting.
Dysphagia.
Epigastric pain.
Icterus.
Watery diarrhea.
Fever.
Swollen glands.

Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Common Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Ganciclovir treatment is used for patients with depressed immunity who have either sight-related or life-threatening illnesses.
Valganciclovir (marketed as Valcyte) is an antiviral drug that is also effective and is given orally.
Foscarnet or cidofovir can be given in patients with CMV resistant to ganciclovir, though foscarnet is not as well tolerated as ganciclovir.
Wash hands often with soap and warm water. Avoid mouth contact with the body fluids of young children.
Aspirin should not be given to children because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, which can be fatal.

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