Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection
What is Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection?
Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus that belongs to the herpes family. Most healthy people who get infected never know it because their immune system keeps the virus under control. The virus stays in your body for life, lying dormant in most cases.
CMV becomes a serious concern for people with weakened immune systems. This includes transplant recipients, people living with HIV, and those on immune-suppressing medications. Pregnant women can also pass CMV to their unborn babies, which can cause health problems for the child.
The virus can affect multiple organs including the liver, bone marrow, and digestive tract. When CMV reactivates in people with compromised immunity, it can cause organ damage and serious illness. Understanding your CMV status through blood testing helps you and your doctor catch problems early.
Symptoms
- Fever lasting more than 7 days
- Extreme fatigue and body aches
- Sore throat and swollen glands
- Muscle weakness or pain
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Vision problems or eye pain
- Digestive issues including diarrhea
- Headaches and confusion
Many healthy adults with CMV have no symptoms at all. Some experience mild flu-like illness that resolves on its own. Severe symptoms typically occur only in people with weakened immune systems or newborns infected during pregnancy.
Concerned about Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection? Check your levels.
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Causes and risk factors
CMV spreads through body fluids including saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and sexual contact. The virus passes easily between young children in daycare settings and from children to their caregivers. Healthcare workers and people who work with children face higher exposure risk. Once you're infected, the virus remains in your body forever but usually stays inactive.
Risk factors for serious CMV disease include organ transplantation, HIV infection, chemotherapy, and long-term steroid use. Newborns whose mothers have a first-time CMV infection during pregnancy face the highest risk of birth defects. Age also plays a role, as more people carry dormant CMV as they get older. By age 40, about half of adults in the United States have been infected at some point.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose CMV infection using blood tests that look for antibodies or the virus itself. Blood work can also reveal signs of organ involvement. At Rite Aid, our flagship testing panel measures liver enzymes like ALT, platelet count, and lymphocyte levels. These biomarkers help detect active CMV disease, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Elevated ALT levels may indicate CMV hepatitis affecting your liver. Low platelet counts can signal bone marrow suppression from the virus. Atypical lymphocytes in your blood point to active viral infection similar to mononucleosis. Testing at one of our 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations gives you the data to catch CMV complications early and monitor treatment response.
Treatment options
- Antiviral medications like ganciclovir or valganciclovir for active infections
- Close monitoring of liver and blood cell counts during treatment
- Immune system support through proper nutrition and adequate sleep
- Avoiding exposure to young children's saliva if you're immunocompromised
- Hand washing after changing diapers or contact with bodily fluids
- Regular blood testing to track viral activity and organ function
- Preventive antiviral therapy for transplant recipients at high risk
- Eye exams for people with HIV to catch CMV retinitis early
- Nutritional support to maintain immune function and liver health
- Working with an infectious disease specialist for complex cases
Concerned about Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Yes, CMV infects healthy people all the time. Most never develop symptoms or have only mild flu-like illness. Your immune system keeps the virus under control, and it stays dormant in your body. Serious disease typically occurs only in people with weakened immune systems or infected newborns.
Blood tests can detect CMV antibodies or active virus in your system. Our testing panel also measures liver enzymes, platelet count, and lymphocyte levels that change during active infection. Many people discover they have CMV only through routine blood work. Testing is especially important if you're pregnant, immunocompromised, or experiencing unexplained fever and fatigue.
CMV can be dangerous if a pregnant woman gets infected for the first time. The virus can pass to the baby and cause hearing loss, vision problems, or developmental delays. Women who already have dormant CMV rarely pass it to their babies. Pregnant women should practice good hygiene, especially around young children, to reduce infection risk.
Elevated ALT levels may indicate CMV affecting your liver. Low platelet counts suggest the virus is suppressing your bone marrow. Atypical lymphocytes in your blood point to active viral infection. These patterns help doctors distinguish CMV from other infections and monitor how well treatment is working.
No, CMV cannot be cured once you're infected. The virus stays in your body for life, usually in a dormant state. Antiviral medications can control active infections and prevent organ damage. Most healthy people never need treatment because their immune system naturally keeps the virus in check.
Testing makes sense for pregnant women, transplant recipients, people with HIV, and anyone on immune-suppressing medications. People with unexplained fever, liver problems, or low blood counts should also get tested. Regular monitoring helps catch reactivation early in high-risk individuals.
Antiviral medications like ganciclovir and valganciclovir treat active CMV infections. Treatment typically lasts several weeks and requires monitoring through blood tests. Healthy people with mild symptoms usually don't need medication. Transplant patients often receive preventive antiviral therapy to stop CMV from reactivating.
In healthy people, CMV rarely causes lasting problems. The virus can damage organs in people with weakened immune systems, leading to hepatitis, colitis, or vision loss. Babies born with CMV may have permanent hearing loss or developmental issues. Regular testing and early treatment help prevent these complications.
Wash your hands frequently, especially after contact with saliva, urine, or diapers. Avoid sharing utensils, drinks, or food with young children. Don't kiss children on the mouth if you're immunocompromised or pregnant. These simple steps significantly reduce transmission risk since CMV spreads through body fluids.
Testing frequency depends on your immune status and risk factors. Transplant recipients often test monthly during the first year. People with HIV should follow their doctor's recommended schedule based on CD4 counts. Our twice-yearly testing subscription works well for monitoring liver and blood health in people with known CMV.