Understanding Chronic CMV Infection: Symptoms, Risks & Management

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus that infects many people, often with no signs or symptoms. Pregnant women, infants and individuals with weakened immune systems can suffer from the symptoms of a chronic CMV infection.

Mild Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy adults may have mild short-lived symptoms of a CMV infection including fatigue, night sweats and fever.

Weakened Immune Systems

• Adults with weakened immune systems can develop visual impairment, pneumonia or bleeding ulcers from a CMV infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Changes in behavior, seizures and coma have been reported.

Infants

• As reported by the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women can pass a CMV infection to unborn babies and newborn infants can experience jaundice, low birth weight or pneumonia.

Causes

• CMV is spread by exposure to infected body fluids and can be contracted when a person touches his nose or mouth, has sexual relations or receives a blood transfusion, as reported by the Mayo Clinic.

Tests

• According to the Mayo Clinic, blood tests can detect the presence of antibodies that the body uses to fight a CMV infection.

Treatment

• Antiviral drugs can slow down the progression of a CMV infection, but there is no cure for CMV, according to the Mayo Clinic.