Cytomegalovirus

Also known as: cytomegalovirus infection, CMV infection.

What is cytomegalovirus?

Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that, once contracted, stays in the body for life. If contracted in-utero it is the most common cause of congenital deafness. When acquired after birth it rarely causes symptoms, but people with weakened immune systems or infants infected with the virus can have problems.

What are the symptoms of cytomegalovirus?

It is estimated that 1% of pregnancies in US are complicated with CMV infection. Approximately 10% of those newborns will have overt symptoms of CMV (small for gestational age, rash, enlargement of the spleen and liver).

These children are at high risk of hearing deficit and antiviral treatment decrease the risk of deafness. Those children infected after birth can present with fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscles aches and problems related to the lungs, liver, eyes, esophagus, stomach, intestines, brain and other issues.

What are cytomegalovirus care options?

CMV cannot be eradicated from the body but antiviral medications when indicated can help to lessen some of the symptoms and complications of the disease.


Reviewed by: P. Marcelo Laufer, MD

This page was last updated on: November 18, 2021 10:56 AM

Infectious Diseases

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