Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus belonging to the herpesvirus family that can infect people of all ages. It is estimated that about half of all adults in the United States have been infected with CMV by age 40.
CMV can be spread through contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, semen, and breast milk. Many people who are infected with CMV do not show any symptoms, but in some cases, the virus can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen glands.
In individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients, CMV infection can cause severe illness and can even be life-threatening. It can also cause birth defects in babies born to mothers who were infected with CMV during pregnancy.
Currently, there is no cure for CMV infection, but antiviral medications can help to manage symptoms and prevent complications in high-risk individuals. Prevention measures, such as good hygiene practices and avoiding contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals, can also help to reduce the risk of CMV infection.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that belongs to the herpesvirus family. It can infect people of all ages and is spread through close contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen, and breast milk, of an infected person.
Many people who are infected with CMV have no symptoms and are unaware that they have the virus. However, in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those who have undergone organ transplantation, CMV can cause severe illness and even be life-threatening.
Congenital CMV, which occurs when a pregnant woman passes the virus to her unborn child, can also cause serious health problems in newborns, such as hearing loss, vision loss, and developmental delays.
There is no cure for CMV, but antiviral medications can be used to treat active infections and to prevent the virus from causing complications in individuals with weakened immune systems. In addition, measures such as practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals can help prevent the spread of CMV. Pregnant women can reduce their risk of transmitting the virus to their unborn child by practicing good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and avoiding contact with bodily fluids.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that belongs to the herpesvirus family. It is spread through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, and breast milk of an infected person.
In most cases, CMV infections are asymptomatic and do not cause any problems. However, in individuals with weakened immune systems (such as newborns, organ transplant recipients, or people living with HIV), CMV can cause severe illness and potentially life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of CMV infection may include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen glands. The virus can also cause damage to the eyes, liver, lungs, and other organs.
There is no cure for CMV infection, but antiviral medications can be used to treat severe cases and reduce the risk of complications. In addition, preventative measures such as practicing good hygiene (washing hands frequently, avoiding sharing utensils or cups, etc.) can help reduce the risk of CMV infection, particularly in high-risk individuals.