Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus belonging to the herpesvirus family, related to viruses that cause chickenpox, herpes simplex, and mononucleosis
. Once a person is infected, CMV remains in the body for life, often lying dormant and potentially reactivating later
. Most healthy people infected with CMV do not show symptoms or experience only mild flu-like illness, such as fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands
. However, CMV can cause serious health problems in certain groups, particularly:
- Pregnant women: CMV can be passed to the fetus, leading to congenital CMV infection, which may cause hearing loss, developmental issues, and other complications in the baby
- People with weakened immune systems: This includes individuals with HIV/AIDS, organ or stem cell transplant recipients, and those undergoing immunosuppressive treatments. In these cases, CMV can cause severe symptoms affecting organs like the eyes, lungs, liver, brain, and gastrointestinal tract
CMV spreads through body fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, semen, and breast milk
. There is no cure for CMV, but antiviral medications can help manage symptoms in severe cases, especially for those with compromised immunity or congenital infections
. In summary, CMV is a lifelong herpesvirus infection that is usually harmless in healthy individuals but can cause significant health issues in pregnant women, infants, and immunocompromised people
