How is cmv treated

But EBV also causes a severe sore throat. CMV does not. An uninfected person who receives a transfusion of blood containing CMV and becomes infected can have a fever, and sometimes liver inflammation develops 2 to 4 weeks later. In people with a weakened immune system Overview of the Immune System The immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign or dangerous invaders. The virus can infect the retina of the eye.

This infection CMV retinitis can cause blindness. Infection of the brain encephalitis Encephalitis Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain that occurs when a virus directly infects the brain or when a virus, vaccine, or something else triggers inflammation. The spinal cord may also be involved Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Often, pneumonia is the final Miscarriage Miscarriage A miscarriage is the loss of a fetus due to natural causes before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Miscarriages may occur because of a problem in the fetus such as a genetic disorder or birth defect Stillbirth Stillbirth Stillbirth is death of a fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy complications are problems that occur only during pregnancy. They may affect the woman, the fetus, or both and may occur In newborns, CMV infection may cause extensive damage to the liver or brain.

Newborns who survive may have hearing loss and intellectual disability. Cytomegalovirus infection may not be recognized immediately. Diagnosis of CMV infection is often unnecessary in healthy adults and children because treatment is unnecessary.

However, doctors consider the possibility of CMV infection in the following people:. People who have a weakened immune system Overview of the Immune System The immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign or dangerous invaders. Once CMV infection is suspected, a doctor conducts tests to detect the virus in body fluids or tissues. In newborns, the diagnosis is usually made by sending a sample of urine to a laboratory to grow culture and identify the virus.

Blood tests that detect antibodies to CMV can confirm a new infection. Antibodies Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense immune system involves white blood cells leukocytes that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and But these tests cannot confirm whether disease is present. For instance, disease can be caused by reactivation of the virus, as in people with a weakened immune system. In these people, a biopsy of affected tissues is often necessary to confirm CMV disease.

CMV retinitis can be identified by an ophthalmologist, who examines internal eye structures to check for characteristic abnormalities using an ophthalmoscope Ophthalmoscopy A person who has eye symptoms should be checked by a doctor. However, some eye disorders cause few or no symptoms in their early stages, so the eyes should be checked regularly every 1 to When the infection threatens life or eyesight, an antiviral drug Antiviral drugs A virus is composed of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat.

Minus Related Pages. Signs and Symptoms. In some cases, infection in healthy people can cause mild illness that may include: Fever Sore throat Fatigue Swollen glands Occasionally, CMV can cause mononucleosis or hepatitis liver problem.

CMV is spread from an infected person in the following ways: From direct contact with saliva or urine, especially from babies and young children Through sexual contact From breast milk to nursing infants Through transplanted organs and blood transfusions.

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CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue. It can cause liver inflammation, or hepatitis, and spleen enlargement. EBV mononucleosis is also known as glandular fever. Herpes can cause painful blisters and sores to the mouth and genitals.

Learn about treatments and when to get tested here. Valacyclovir is a medication that can help to treat infections caused by the herpes virus. Read on for more. Herpes is a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. People may notice herpes symptoms across the body, including in the mouth, on the genitals…. Cold sores are common, and they can sometimes appear under the nose. Learn about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of cold sores under….

Everything you need to know about cytomegalovirus. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. What to know about valacyclovir Valacyclovir is a medication that can help to treat infections caused by the herpes virus. What does herpes look like? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What causes cold sores under the nose and how to deal with them.

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.