Health Library

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Most adults and many children have been around someone with CMV. Since most CMV infections are mild and usually do not cause long-term problems, most people don't even know they are infected. After a person has had a CMV infection, the virus becomes non-active in the body. It can reactivate months or years later. Reactivation of the virus most often happens when a person’s immune system is weakened or suppressed.

Anyone with a weakened immune system is at risk for problems with CMV infection. A weakened immune system can be related to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pregnancy, or medical treatments. Medical treatments that can weaken the immune system include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, steroids and stem cell or organ transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus is spread through contact with an infected person's body fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, or breast milk. It can also be sexually transmitted. Regular handwashing with soap and water, particularly after changing diapers, can help prevent the spread of infection. Avoiding shared utensils may prevent the spread, too.

Before an organ or bone marrow transplant, both the patient and donor will be tested for exposure to CMV as well as to other viruses. If the patient or donor is positive for CMV, then the patient may be treated with a medicine to keep the virus from reactivating after the transplant.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cytomegalovirus?

Symptoms can vary and range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Symptoms may include:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands or lymph nodes
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Abdominal pain
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Blurry vision

How is Cytomegalovirus Treated?

An antiviral medication may be used to treat a cytomegalovirus infection in people whose immune systems are weakened or for transplant patients. These people usually need to be in the hospital. Newborn babies infected with CMV may benefit from antiviral medication as well, up to 6 months old. Your child’s doctor may consult with infectious disease doctors to decide if your baby would benefit from receiving antiviral therapy.

Additionally, cellular therapy may be used to treat CMV in patients with a weakened immune system. Viral specific T cells (VSTs) have been successfully used to treat CMV (and other viruses) without the need for potentially toxic anti-viral medications. Notify your child’s doctor as soon as symptoms start so that treatment can be started.

Healthy people infected with CMV usually do not need medication. In healthy people, the body should be able to control the infection on its own and the signs of infection are treated as they happen.

Because CMV is a virus, antibiotics will not work against it and are not prescribed. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin) may be given for fever, sore throat or headache. If your child is a CBDI patient, please check with your child’s provider before giving these medications.

Most children should get better in a couple of weeks after an infection. If your child is not getting better, call your child's doctor.

How Can Cytomegalovirus be Prevented?

Some ways to help prevent a CMV infection include:

• Practice good hand washing, especially after changing diapers, as the virus is found in the urine of a person infected with the virus.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Do not share food, eating utensils, cups and/or bottles, as the virus is found in the saliva of a person infected with the virus.
• Avoid crowds. You may be asked to keep your child away from crowds and out of school or daycare for the first three months or during high-risk periods following transplant or during chemotherapy treatment. Please check with your child's doctor for the specific amount of time to avoid crowds.
• Avoid kissing, as the virus may also be passed along to someone through kissing or sexual contact.