A cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an extremely common viral infection affecting between 10% and 25% of
the entire population at any one time. Infection rate may be in excess of 80% in homosexual men. It may be a
serious illness in patients who have reduced immunity due to treatment with cytotoxic drugs for cancer,
have
suffered other serious illnesses, are anaemic, suffering from AIDS or other immune affecting diseases, or who are
extremely run-down from stress or overwork.
The virus passes from one person to another in saliva or as droplets in the breath, but may also spread through
blood transfusions or sexual contact. In all but a tiny percentage of infected people, there are absolutely no
symptoms, and they appear and feel totally well. Adults with reduced immunity develop a fever, headaches,
overwhelming tiredness, muscle and joint pains, enlarged lymph nodes and a tender liver. In patients with severely
reduced immunity, pneumonia and hepatitis may develop.
If a pregnant woman with reduced immunity acquires a significant CMV infection, her baby may be affected in
the womb and be born with liver damage (jaundice), enlarged liver and spleen, poor ability to clot blood, bruises,
intellectual disability, and one in six are deaf.
The infection can be detected by specific blood tests, and the virus may be found in sputum, saliva, urine and
other body fluids.
There is no specific treatment. Aspirin and/or paracetamol are used to control fever and pain, and prolonged
rest is required for recovery. It is not necessary to exclude children from school.
An uneventful recovery is expected in normal patients. In immune compromised patients, pneumonia and
hepatitis may be fatal.
the entire population at any one time. Infection rate may be in excess of 80% in homosexual men. It may be a
serious illness in patients who have reduced immunity due to treatment with cytotoxic drugs for cancer,
have
suffered other serious illnesses, are anaemic, suffering from AIDS or other immune affecting diseases, or who are
extremely run-down from stress or overwork.
The virus passes from one person to another in saliva or as droplets in the breath, but may also spread through
blood transfusions or sexual contact. In all but a tiny percentage of infected people, there are absolutely no
symptoms, and they appear and feel totally well. Adults with reduced immunity develop a fever, headaches,
overwhelming tiredness, muscle and joint pains, enlarged lymph nodes and a tender liver. In patients with severely
reduced immunity, pneumonia and hepatitis may develop.
If a pregnant woman with reduced immunity acquires a significant CMV infection, her baby may be affected in
the womb and be born with liver damage (jaundice), enlarged liver and spleen, poor ability to clot blood, bruises,
intellectual disability, and one in six are deaf.
The infection can be detected by specific blood tests, and the virus may be found in sputum, saliva, urine and
other body fluids.
There is no specific treatment. Aspirin and/or paracetamol are used to control fever and pain, and prolonged
rest is required for recovery. It is not necessary to exclude children from school.
An uneventful recovery is expected in normal patients. In immune compromised patients, pneumonia and
hepatitis may be fatal.
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