Cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an infection with cytomegalovirus. Cytomegalovirus is member of a group of herpes-type viruses that can cause chicken pox, herpes simplex and mononucleosis.

Causative and risk factors

Cytomegalovirus infection occurs through exposure to body fluids like blood, urine, saliva, breast milk, tears, semen and vaginal fluids.

Spread of virus can be through physical contact or unprotected sex with an infected person. An infected mother can pass the infection to her fetus during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. CMV infection can also spread through procedures such as blood transfusions or organ transplants.

 

Clinical presentation

Cytomegalovirus infection in an otherwise healthy individual does not produce any symptoms. However severe symptoms are produce in person with weak immune system.  Symptoms in immune-compromised individuals include visual impairment and blindness, pneumonia, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, hepatitis, encephalitis, seizures, behavioral changes and even coma.

Babies with congenital CMV may present with jaundice, purplish skin rashes, pneumonia and seizures. They usually have a low birth weight. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are common findings.

 

Diagnosis/Tests 

Diagnosis will be based upon your symptoms and examination of blood and urine to detect and measure substances specific to CMV. A tissue biopsy may also be done.

 

Treatment

Cytomegalovirus infection is treated with antiviral medications. The outcome of cytomegalovirus infection depend whether the person is healthy or has compromised immune system. The infection can be life threatening in person with weak immunity.

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