CMV belongs to the herpes virus family and can infect people of all ages. It spreads through body fluids and usually remains dormant, causing no symptoms or a mild illness characterized by fever, sore throat, fatigue, or swollen glands.
But it can be risky for some people. CMV is the virus most frequently transmitted to a developing fetus.
In people with weaker immune systems, CMV can cause serious symptoms that affect the eyes, lungs, esophagus, intestines, stomach, or liver.
“If a pregnant woman contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy (primary infection), there is a risk of transmitting the virus to her fetus. This can result in congenital CMV infection, which can cause developmental problems, hearing loss, vision problems and other serious health problems in the baby,” Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, infectious diseases consultant at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
“CMV is a common virus that infects more than 90 per cent of the Indian population during pregnancy (intrauterine) or early childhood. Although normally harmless in healthy people, CMV can become a serious threat to people with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing organ transplants (especially kidney and bone marrow). In these cases, the virus can reactivate and cause a host of health problems,” added Dr Rajeev Gupta, Head of Internal Medicine, CK Birla (R) Hospital, Delhi.
CMV in people with low immunity who take steroids, cancer, and dialysis can reactivate and cause symptoms such as fever, pneumonia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and visual effects and problems.
Dr. Neha said CMV is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with weakened immune systems.
While there is no widely available vaccine specifically to prevent initial CMV infection, antiviral medications administered during organ transplant procedures significantly reduce the risk of CMV reactivation.
Doctors asked to maintain hygiene by washing hands regularly, practicing safe sex, not sharing items such as toothbrushes and avoiding contact with bodily fluids.
But it can be risky for some people. CMV is the virus most frequently transmitted to a developing fetus.
In people with weaker immune systems, CMV can cause serious symptoms that affect the eyes, lungs, esophagus, intestines, stomach, or liver.
“If a pregnant woman contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy (primary infection), there is a risk of transmitting the virus to her fetus. This can result in congenital CMV infection, which can cause developmental problems, hearing loss, vision problems and other serious health problems in the baby,” Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, infectious diseases consultant at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
“CMV is a common virus that infects more than 90 per cent of the Indian population during pregnancy (intrauterine) or early childhood. Although normally harmless in healthy people, CMV can become a serious threat to people with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing organ transplants (especially kidney and bone marrow). In these cases, the virus can reactivate and cause a host of health problems,” added Dr Rajeev Gupta, Head of Internal Medicine, CK Birla (R) Hospital, Delhi.
CMV in people with low immunity who take steroids, cancer, and dialysis can reactivate and cause symptoms such as fever, pneumonia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and visual effects and problems.
Dr. Neha said CMV is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with weakened immune systems.
While there is no widely available vaccine specifically to prevent initial CMV infection, antiviral medications administered during organ transplant procedures significantly reduce the risk of CMV reactivation.
Doctors asked to maintain hygiene by washing hands regularly, practicing safe sex, not sharing items such as toothbrushes and avoiding contact with bodily fluids.
