Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Once infected, the body retains the virus for life, and it can cycle through periods when it lies dormant and then reactivates. Most people infected with CMV show no signs or symptoms, and a healthy persons immune system usually keeps the virus from causing illness. However, if a persons immune system is weakened, such as in the case of pregnant women, organ transplant recipients, or individuals with HIV, CMV infection can lead to more serious symptoms and complications. For example, pregnant women who develop an active CMV infection can pass the virus to their babies, potentially causing symptoms. Additionally, CMV can cause serious complications in people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have had an organ, stem cell, or bone marrow transplant. Complications of CMV infection can vary, depending on overall health and when the individual was infected. In healthy adults, CMV rarely causes problems, but it can lead to mononucleosis or other rare complications affecting the digestive system, liver, brain, and nervous system. In babies born with CMV infection, it can cause brain, liver, spleen, lung, and growth problems, with the most common long-term health issue being hearing loss. CMV is spread through body fluids, including blood, urine, saliva, breast milk, tears, semen, and vaginal fluids, and can be transmitted through direct contact with saliva or urine, especially from babies and young children, as well as through sexual contact.
In summary, CMV is a widespread and common virus that can infect almost anyone, but it rarely causes problems in healthy individuals. However, for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, CMV infection can lead to more serious symptoms and complications, making it a cause for concern in these populations.
