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Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus found around the world. It is related to the viruses that cause chickenpox and infectious mononucleosis (mono). Between 50% and 80% of adults in the United States have had a CMV infection by age 40. Once CMV is in a person's body, it stays there for life.
CMV is spread through close contact with body fluids. Most people with CMV don't get sick and don't know that they've been infected. But infection with the virus can be serious in babies and people with weak immune systems. If a woman gets CMV when she is pregnant, she can pass it on to her baby. Usually the babies do not have health problems. But some babies can develop lifelong disabilities.
A blood test can tell whether a person has ever been infected with CMV. Most people with CMV don't need treatment. If you have a weakened immune system, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine. Good hygiene, including proper hand washing, may help prevent infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Diagnosis and Tests
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Tests
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
Related Issues
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Neurological Consequences of Cytomegalovirus
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Cytomegalovirus Infections
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Cytomegalovirus immunity in high-risk liver transplant recipients following preemptive antiviral therapy...
- Article: Letermovir safety and efficacy for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in adult Japanese kidney...
- Article: Characterization of humoral and cellular immunologic responses to an mRNA-based human...
- Cytomegalovirus Infections -- see more articles
Find an Expert
Children
- CMV in Newborns (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Cytomegalovirus (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Women
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Pregnancy (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) - PDF Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- CMV blood test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- CMV pneumonia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- CMV retinitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.