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Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus or CMV is a common virus that is a member of the herpes virus family that infects cells of the body and causes them to become enlarged. This virus infects people worldwide. It has been estimated that 80% of the people are infected by the time they are adults.
CMV is spread from person to person by direct contact with infected body fluids or during pregnancy by an infected mother to her fetus.
Usually there are no symptoms from a CMV infection unless a person has a compromised immune system. If symptoms are experienced they are usually a sore throat, fever, tiredness and enlarged spleen. Newborns that acquire a maternal CMV infection can have symptoms of mental, developmental, vision and hearing problems that may arise during the next several years. Infants affected after birth rarely have symptoms of the virus but if they do have symptoms they can have poor weight gain, lung problems, swollen glands, rash, liver and blood effects.
Diagnosis of CMV is confirmed by a blood culture test. This test is timely taking 2 to 3 weeks for the result and can be expensive.
There is no treatment or cure for CMV. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. If the body’s immune system is normal, it is usually able to control the CMV infection on its own.
Those most at risk of a CMV infection are fetuses that acquire the first time infection of the mother, pregnant women that work with infants and children and those with weakened immune systems.
Prevention of CMV is to practice good hygiene, frequent and adequate hand washing and avoidance of contact with infected body fluids.
Cindy Sundman, RN, BSN, CLNC |
